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Weekly Devotionals  |
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Good News DailyVolume IX Sunday, February 15 How badly do I want God to listen to my prayers? There is a price to pay—being honest enough to come clean before Him, to confess my sins. That is why I often begin my prayer with a plea to forgive my sins so that I may have an open channel to God’s Throne of Grace. The pipeline is closed otherwise by my transgressions, of which I am most keenly aware. But how joyous it is to be cleansed according to His promise: But if we confess our sins, he can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong (1 John 1:9). Hallelujah! Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 67; 1 John 2:3-11; John 8:12-19 Monday, February l6 This verse was already highlighted in my Bible as being especially precious. I do a little acrylic painting, and Truth and Mercy is the title of one of my pieces. It’s a large Lion and Lamb painting, wherein the Lion is Truth and the Lamb is Mercy. The Lamb is licking the Lion’s cheek, thereby expressing the connection between the dual natures of God—Judgment (or Truth) and Mercy. Yes, we are living in a period of God’s Grace, with multiple chances for forgiveness. But obedience is also expected, and a willingness to do the will of Him who saved and forgave me. God forbid that I should accept the Grace and not follow the commands of my Savior who loves me. Isaiah 63:1-6; 1 Timothy 1:1-17; Mark 11:1-11 Tuesday, February 17 Very recently I was “babysitting” overnight with my seven-year-old grandson, just him and me. He ran through the family room and fell into the corner of a glass coffee table, gashing open his forehead close to his eye. He bled a lot, and we were both scared, but I was finally able to pull the wound together with a sports bandage and get the bleeding stopped. Later, as he was getting settled down to sleep, he wanted to pray—and he did so, for his own healing, for his momma and daddy to be safe, and for all people who were hurting in the world. I joined in at the end, feeling very humbled in the presence of such authentic faith. The next day I warned his momma that stitches might be necessary. Much later that day, however, I got a call from her: “Not sure what you mean about the cut—I’ve taken the bandage off and there’s nothing under the bandage but a little abrasion or something.” “Honey,” I said, “We’ve just had a miracle!” Indeed, my grandson had prayed, believing, for his own healing, and it was accomplished! Praise God! Isaiah 63:7-14; Psalms 97, 99, 100; 1 Timothy 1:l8—2:8 Wednesday, February 18 This lament is reflective of Israel’s constant pattern: the memory of how God saved her out of Egypt, only to have Israel turn to false gods and idols and suffer the consequences of destruction and separation from God. On the surface, I never cease to be amazed at how easily Israel forgets the blessings she has received and turns her back on God. Then I think of the many times I have had personal encounters with God, or even personal miracles, only to have the memory fade and sin try to trip me up, often successfully. Thank God, however, who is always willing to take me back if I’m willing to confess. This is another reason I appreciate the liturgy of the Eucharist—I am reminded quite forcefully of my need to regularly acknowledge my sin and seek forgiveness. Psalms 101, 109; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Mark 11:27—12:12 Thursday, February l9 My wife and I were heartbroken recently because of a dinner conversation we had with some very old friends. We had known the husband of the couple since college days, and he had always been a “pillar” in his church and an outspoken believer in Jesus. Apparently they had come under the spell of a Bishop from the Northeast, and gradually everything they had always understood and accepted about their faith became suspect. The virgin birth? (We can’t be sure.) The miracles and healings? (Who can say?) His death and resurrection? (How can we really know?) His coming again? (Mere speculation?) After awhile, my wife had enough and very gently told them that the proof to her was her own personal relationship with Jesus, which she counted on daily. That essentially ended the conversation, but our grief continues for the emptiness and detachment our friends are experiencing. We continue to pray. Isaiah 65:1-12; Psalms 105:1-22; Mark 12:13-27 Friday, February 20 In January of 2001 I had open heart surgery with two bypasses. I had been told something looked suspicious so that I needed a “heart cath,” but that probably only a stent would be required, if that. I was somewhat apprehensive about what was really needed, but two days before the procedure was scheduled, while taking a short afternoon nap (I’m good at that!), the Holy Spirit appeared and told me to have no fear. The peace I had that week before the tests which told of the need for consequent surgery was so strong that I was able to minister to my family and even the priest who visited me before the surgery. Truly the Lord answered me before I even called to Him. He knew how great my need would be and perfectly prepared me! How great is our God! Psalm 102; 1 Timothy 5:17-25; Mark 12:28-34 Saturday, February 21 Every night when I take out the garbage, I look up at the moon and stars (weather permitting) and marvel at those heavenly bodies just hanging out there in a predetermined celestial space, the moon in its orbit around the earth and the stars staying properly in place without bumping into each other or wandering aimlessly. Then I think of my earth just hanging in space, traversing its orbit around the sun, and I worship with my arms in the air the God who made all this come to pass. And I think, “How can anyone believe all this just happened by chance?” Hopefully God looks upon me with pity as well as love as I humbly and contritely praise Him for his handiwork and tremble at His Word. Psalms 107:33-43, 108; 1 Timothy 6:6-21; Mark 12:35-44 by Charlene Laird Used with permission from the BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP |
