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Weekly Devotionals  |
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Good News DailyVolume VIII Sunday, October 12 The Gentile woman who lived in the region of Tyre and Sidon came to Jesus saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!” Her daughter had a demon and it was tormenting her greatly. Though the woman is a Gentile, she recognized Jesus as “Lord, Son of David.” The disciples want Jesus to send her away. He and the woman engage in some sharp dialog, at the end of which Jesus says “Your faith is great. Your request is granted.” She would not take “no” for an answer, and her daughter is instantly healed. Are we ready to storm the gates of heaven with our prayers, or do we give up saying “God is too busy to bother with me”? Remember: “Ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). We have to ask for what we need! The story is told of a man who arrives at his heavenly home and finds a whole room full of gifts. “What are these?” he asks the Lord, who replies: “These are blessings I prepared for you, which you never requested.” Micah 6:1-8; Psalms 146, 147; 1 Corinthians 4:9-16 Monday, October 13 Salvation is like a gift card to a fine restaurant—Jesus has paid for it. So why are we still hungering for assurance, saying things like “I hope I make it to heaven.”? It is a free gift. We need to accept it and use it to grow in grace. As the song says, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” As we gratefully accept God’s wonderful gift, we turn from our sins and turn to Him, proving by our good deeds how much we appreciate His loving kindness. The spiritual equation is: first faith; then, as we put our faith into action, the goodness and love follow. Can you look back five years (or months) and see how your life has changed for the better since you became a Christian? Are you trusting God more and giving up your fears? Have you cleaned up your speech? Less gossip and criticism and taken on more kindly comments? Are you keeping the Lord’s name and day holy? Have you given up lustful thoughts and covetousness? Are you honoring your parents and elders? No dishonesty and cheating? Use the 10 Commandments as a check list. They are commands, not suggestions! Father, help me turn from my sin and turn to You and prove I have changed by the good things I do. Tuesday, October 14 At our church, October is “clergy appreciation month.” We are encouraged to write a note or send a card to our clergy thanking them for a special teaching or very meaningful sermon that has touched our heart, or just in general thanking them for their faithful leadership of God’s people. (It is so easy to take their hard work for granted, so this is a great reminder.) It might also be a good time to thank the choir, the ushers, the Sunday School teachers, the altar guild, the flower guild, the youth group helpers, the janitors, and all the other people who keep our church running smoothly. Certainly our Lord leads us to an attitude of gratitude. One member of our parish always gives the choir a huge box of chocolates for Easter and Christmas. In the midst of extra rehearsals and singing more services, we are greatly cheered by her kindness. Lead me, Lord, to thanking all those who bless my life. Jonah 1:1-17a; Psalm 6; Luke 8:40-56; Acts 26:24—27:8 Wednesday, October 15 Many of us memorized Bible verses in Sunday School—in other words, hidden God’s word in our hearts and minds. We all know how quickly our children and grandchildren can repeat a jingle they hear on radio or TV, so we know they can memorize! I really encourage everyone to help them memorize Scripture. It is a wonderful legacy and great gift to have verses from God’s work to sustain us in times of joy and sorrow, times of testing or uncertainty. The psalmist says, “As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should” (v.7). What a great tribute to be known as a man or woman of integrity, who follows the law of the Lord. The psalmist also says, “Your laws please me; they give me wise advice” (v.24) and “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions” (v.18). Help us delight in Your decrees and hide Your word in our hearts, dear Lord. Jonah 1:17—2:10; Acts 27:9-26; Luke 9:1-17 Thursday, October 16 God asks Jonah to announce His judgment against the great city of Nineveh because He has seen how wicked its people have become. But Jonah goes in the opposite direction to try to get away from the Lord. After a huge storm at sea, the sailors cast lots to see who had brought this punishment upon them. Jonah lost the toss and was thrown into the sea where he is swallowed by a great fish. After three days and three nights inside the fish, Jonah prays to God and the fish spits him out on the beach. He finally goes to Nineveh and gives God’s message. The people repent and pray to God, and He forgives them. Our God is a forgiving God, praise His name! All through the Old Testament, we see God making His covenant with His people and them breaking it. But He is the God of a second and third chance to us (New Testament believers) as well. It must grieve God’s heart that He has to rescue us again and again. Please help us keep our covenant with You holy, dear Lord, and not try to run away from You. Psalm 18:1-20; Acts 27:27-44; Luke 9:18-27 Friday, October 17 Jesus has told us that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The psalmist understood that a life lived in God’s presence is a truly blessed life. We do not walk life’s path alone—for He is always with us—and, as the poem Footprints points out, he is often carrying us. To be a member of the Body of Christ gives us a spiritual family to lift us up in prayer and surround us with loving kindness. Often, our biological family lives far away, and sometimes they are not believers; but we always have the joy of God’s presence and the pleasure of living with Him forever. Let’s invite our un-churched relatives, friends, and neighbors to share in this wonderful “forever family.” As one writer has put it, “Evangelism is simply one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” Help them find the Bread of Life—our Lord Jesus Christ. Dear Lord, help us invite the people in our life to share in the joy of God’s presence. Song of Solomon 1:2-8; Psalm 17; Acts 28:1-16; Luke 9:28-36 Saturday, October 18 Paul finally arrives in Rome after terrible storms at sea and a shipwreck on the island of Malta. Paul has preached and healed all along the way. Here, in Rome, he is under house guard but can have people come to his house. He teaches about the Kingdom of God and Jesus, lecturing from morning to night. He is able to do this for two full years. I imagine that many of the soldiers who were his guards became believers after hearing Paul teach and preach. Perhaps our circumstances are not what we would like them to be (Paul no doubt would have rather been free), but we can still share the love of God and build bridges so the people we come into contact with can come to faith in Christ. Dear Lord, help us share the light of Your love with everyone in our life. Song of Solomon 1:9—2:7; Psalms 20, 21; Luke 9:37-50by Jacqueline Littleford Used with permission from the BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP |
