God's Unmerited Kindness to All

 

August 29, 2025

Matthew 5:45

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.


 "God restrains the effects of sin through common grace, allowing goodness and beauty to remain even in a fallen world."

                                                                  Abraham Kuyper


Would you agree that the world is undeniably broken? That the world is not all that it could be? We do not talk about the "sin" word that much anymore. We seem to resist this label. Yet, the bible demonstrates over and over an undeniable reality that sin distorts relationships, twists desires, and leaves behind scars on us, indeed even on creation itself. 

However, if we look around carefully, we also see remarkable evidence of God’s goodness breaking through the cracks. Abraham Kuyper identified this in breaking by our creator as common grace, God’s unmerited kindness given to all people, not just believers.

Now we often talk about, and sing about "saving grace", God's grace which redeems and reconciles us to God through Christ. Common grace is the kindness of God that holds the world together, restrains evil, and allows beauty, truth, and justice to shine, even in unexpected places.

Think about a skilled doctor who does not profess a faith in Christ, yet whose expertise and compassion bring healing. Or an artist who may not recognize the Creator God, yet creates works of beauty that move our spirits. Or think of the many countless small blessings that we enjoy and experience from day to day, sunlight warming our face, children’s laughter, the order of laws that prevent chaos. All of these and more are what Kuyper has in mind as evidence that the world remains God’s world, sustained by His guiding hand. 

In Matthew 5:45, Jesus highlights the sun and rain as essential elements that sustain life, freely given by God to both the righteous and the unrighteous. This demonstrates that no part of the world is entirely empty of God's presence. Remember we said early this week that there is not a "square inch" in our world that is not under the ownership of God?  Even in places where sin appears prevalent, there are still signs of God’s handiwork. While this does not downplay the gravity of sin, it serves as a reminder that God has not forsaken His creation.

This truth, for you and me as believers, this notion of "common grace" keeps us from despair on one hand and pride on the other. We do not lose hope because God’s grace continues to work in the world. Nor do we become prideful, as if God's goodness exists only within the church or the faith community. Instead, we are called to acknowledge, celebrate, and partner with the good wherever we find it, always directing it back to its true source in Christ.

Let's conclude our week with some reflection questions.

Where have you recently experienced God’s goodness in “ordinary” or unexpected places?

How might common grace change the way you see your neighbors, your community, or even cultural achievements?

In what ways can you join God’s sustaining work in your neighborhood, town, city or workplace?

Let's Pray

Lord, we are grateful for Your sustaining grace in a world that is broken and in need of You. We thank You for the glimpses of beauty, truth, and goodness that remind us of Your hand holding creation together. Would you grant us eyes to see where You are at work and hearts eager to join You in advancing life, justice, and mercy wherever we may be. Amen.

ROOTED LIVING

 

August 27, 2025

Romans 12:2 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

The most fundamental difference between people is not race, class, or culture — but belief. Faith and unbelief are opposing root systems that shape all of life.                       Abraham Kuyper

Picture two trees planted side by side in the same field. To the casual observer, they might look nearly identical, tall trunks, spreading branches, leaves fluttering in the wind, perhaps even bearing fruit. But appearances can be deceiving. The true difference lies hidden underground, where the eye cannot see.

One tree sinks its roots deep into rich, nourishing soil, drawing life, stability, and strength from the unseen resources beneath. The other, though outwardly similar, is rooted in shallow, dry ground, starved of water and nutrients.

Over time, the difference becomes clear: one flourishes, resilient in drought and storm, while the other withers, unable to endure. We see something like this in the Christian life, it is sustained not by outward appearances or actions, but by the hidden root of faith, whether our lives are grounded in Christ or in the empty soil of self and the world will depend on the soul we are rooted in.

So far this week we have been establishing some key principles that inform our worldview. Monday, it was talk about a kingdom perspective. Viewing life through a Kingdom lens, we said, changes everything, how you vote, spend money, use your time, treat strangers, and handle conflict. Yesterday, we developed this further by thinking together about Kingdom perspective that rests in God's sovereignty and says that there is not a place, "a square inch" of world experience that does not belong to God.

Today, we encounter this challenge in Abraham Kuyper's thought. Kuyper argued that the foundation of a person’s worldview is either belief or unbelief. What he means is that it is not just about actions, what we do, but the reasons behind them. As Kuyper would say both Christians and unbelievers may value things like education, justice, or beauty, they do so for entirely different reasons. The reasons for both are rooted in differing ultimate truths.

The Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 12:2 remind us that we are continually being shaped and influenced, either by the patterns of this world or by the Spirit of God. The gap between belief and unbelief serves as a reminder to remain spiritually aware. Now pause for a moment and take this in. which pattern most shapes and influences us. I find in both the Bible and in Kupyer's thoughts I am prompted to ask myself the question: Where are my roots? A good question to wrestle with isn't it?

I find, perhaps you do as well, that our culture often influences our values without us realizing it. Therefore, today's discussion challenges us to reflect on our beliefs: Are we conforming to the world or being transformed by Christ?

Spend a few minutes today with these questions to help us dig deeper.

What are some ways your thinking has been shaped more by culture than by Christ?

What would it look like for your thoughts and decisions to be rooted in faith, not fear or conformity?

Let's Pray

Lord, I want to be shaped by You, not by the trends of this world. Help me to recognize the deep roots of faith and live from them daily. Transform my mind, renew my heart, and align my life with Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Every Inch?

 

It occurred to me that some of you may not be familiar with Abraham Kuyper, here is a brief bio:

Abraham Kuyper (1837–1920) was a Dutch theologian, pastor, journalist, and statesman. He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1901–1905) and founded the Free University of Amsterdam. Kuyper is remembered for his strong Reformed faith and his vision that all of life—politics, education, art, science, and society—belongs under the lordship of Jesus Christ. His famous idea of “sphere sovereignty” taught that each area of life (church, family, state, etc.) has its own God-given role and responsibility. 

August 26, 2025

Colossians 1:15–20


“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created... all things were created through him and for him... and in him all things hold together.”



“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!’”
                                                                                                  Abraham Kuyper

 

Colossians 1:15–20 offers an incredible view of Jesus. Paul describes Christ as the Lord of all creation, the one by whom, through whom, and for whom everything was created. Paul's emphasis is clear: all things, visible and invisible, earthly and heavenly, sacred and secular, are held together in Jesus the Christ.

We sometimes act as though certain parts of life, like work, school, civic duties, technology, or leisure, are “neutral” or “secular” zones. For, Abraham Kuyper, the teaching of the Bible says that no part of life is neutral. Christ claims every aspect of human existence and is actively reclaiming it for His Kingdom. Probably my favorite quote from Kuyper is the following:

“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!’”

Consider the story of Lydia that was recently shared with me. Lydia was a successful bank executive in Toronto. She once believed that her faith had little to do with her job beyond personal ethics. But after attending a faith and work conference, she began asking: What does it mean for banking to serve God's Kingdom? She started mentoring younger colleagues, advocating for more ethical lending practices, and supporting micro-loans for under-resourced entrepreneurs. Her office became a place of prayer, encouragement, and justice. Her work became worship.

Lydia's story brings Kuyper’s vision to life: a faith that isn’t boxed in but one that is shaping every profession and pursuit with Christ’s love and lordship.

 
This theology is transformative, influencing how Christians vote, build families, design spaces, manage businesses, plant churches, and raise children. Declaring “Jesus is Lord” means recognizing His authority over every aspect of our lives, our schedules, finances, and callings.

 

This teaching of Scripture as interpreted through the insights of Abraham Kuyper cause me to ask:   

What areas of our life have we unconsciously labeled as “secular” or outside of God’s concern?

How does the lordship of Christ over all creation challenge the way we think about our daily work or community involvement?

What would change in our week if we truly believed Jesus says “Mine” over every moment and place we enter?

Give some thought to this over the next few days, regarding how you might answer these questions. It will be worthwhile. 


Let's Pray

Jesus, I confess that I often reduce Your lordship to religious spaces and spiritual matters. Open my eyes to see that every moment, every task, and every place belongs to You. Reign over my thoughts, my work, my conversations, and my habits. Help me reflect Your presence in every square inch I enter. May Your Kingdom come, in my life and in the world around me.
Amen.

What Are You Really Chasing?

 

Recently I have been doing some reading and reflecting on the writing of  Abraham Kuyper. Kuyper’s writings are rich with a theological depth with challenging practical insight, especially on themes like the sovereignty of God, common grace, cultural engagement, and the lordship of Christ over all of life. This week's devotions will reflect some of the themes that I found important personally. 

August 25, 2025

Matthew 6:33 

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

“The world is still God's world. The Kingdom is coming.

Our calling is to live and labor in light of that coming reality.”

                                                              Abraham Kuyper

What are you really chasing?

Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 challenge the way we naturally think. We often strive for security, comfort, or recognition, believing these will satisfy us. But Jesus turns that idea upside down, urging us to “Seek first My Kingdom.” Abraham Kuyper in his writings expanded on this, emphasizing that God’s Kingdom isn’t just a far-off spiritual concept, it is present here and now, and we’re invited to participate in it.

Simply put, the Kingdom of God is where God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven. I know it might seem big and abstract, but it's actually quite practical. You see what is implied here is that every act of justice, every choice of mercy, every expression of beauty or truth, every moment where Christ is honored, these are Kingdom moments. And here’s the thing: it doesn’t just happen in church. It happens in our homes, our workplaces, our neighborhoods, and even in how we make everyday choices. It is from this understanding that Kuyper consistently challenged the church to embrace its mission in every part of life, not just within its walls.

Take Andre, for example. Early in his career, he measured success by promotions and recognition. But as he grew, he began asking a different question: “What if my work reflected Kingdom values?” He started paying fair wages, mentoring employees, and investing in the community. At first, it didn’t feel like the most “successful” choice, but over time, he realized his work was changing lives, not just profits. That’s the Kingdom in action.

Colossians 3:17 

“whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Viewing life through a Kingdom lens changes everything, how you vote, spend money, use your time, treat strangers, and handle conflict. It all matters. As Kuyper reminds us, this world isn’t just a waiting room for heaven; it’s a mission field, a canvas, a place where God is at work, inviting us to join Him.

So, I ask us all again, "What are you really chasing?"

Let's Pray

Father, let Your Kingdom come in me and through me. Help me to seek Your will above my own comfort, ambitions, and desires. Give me eyes to see Your work in the world and a heart that longs to join in. Let my life, my choices, relationships, and work—reflect Your Kingdom in tangible ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

FACE to FACE

August 22, 2025

Exodus 33:11

11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

Psalm 17:6

6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

17 pray continually,

Luke 11:1-4

11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”



Yesterday we talked about the importance of listening to a story. For a story to have an impact on us it needs to be told and listened to. We all are aware that in any relationship, conversation is how we get to know one another. Dialogue and exchange is how we grow closer over time. Likewise, this is how we grow in our relationship with God and the way we get to know our Creator.

Over and over throughout Scripture, we see the people of God talk to Him passionately and honestly. They question, they plead, they cry out, they praise, they confess, all through an action called prayer.

Prayer is simply having a conversation with God. Let’s not complicate this wonderful act of communicating with God. It is simple conversation. Prayer involves both speaking and listening. Exodus 33:11 says, “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” I love that, don’t you? The phrase, the Lord “spoke to Moses” occurs 54 times in the Bible. Hear that again, the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Isn’t that a beautiful description of prayer? And when friends speak face to face, they look at each other, they talk to each other and they listen to each other.

Jesus modeled a praying life for His disciples. They watched Him time and again go off to a quiet place, a sacred space, to talk and to listen to His Father. In Luke 11, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. I find it really intriguing that the only thing the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to do was pray. They didn’t ask Him to teach them to preach or perform miracles, they asked Him to teach them to pray. I wonder if they knew what we need to remind ourselves of today, there is authority in prayer. A Power to save, to heal, to rescue, to overcome, to deliver, to give help and hope when it is needed most. Power and authority in the name of Jesus, let’s pray . . .

PRAYER

Lord, teach us to pray. Today, I pray for . . . add your words

A STORY WORTH THE READ

AUGUST 21, 2025

John 1:1-4

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

Jeremiah 15:16

16 When your words came, I ate them;
they were my joy and my heart’s delight,
for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.

Isaiah 50:4

4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.

Psalm 119:105

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.

Psalm 119:165

165 Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.

Recently I have had the wonderful blessing of meeting some new people. One of things I notice about developing new relationships is that one of the best ways to get to know the person is by listening to their story. They share in their story, where they have lived, jobs that they worked at, share about their family, as the relationship develops, they share struggles they have been through. As a Pastor, once that is shared, I find I will often hear a story of the person's experience with Church, or with Christians or where they are spiritually. Stories are important.

That makes me think that if we are going to know God, then listening to His story is very important. God’s story is communicated to us through His Word, the Bible. Through the Bible, we come to know the loving heart of God the Father, God’s loving plans and purposes for the world, and God’s loving vision for the world through His rescue, redemption, and restoration of all things.

The Old Testament people of God internalized God’s story, his word. I just love the way the prophet Jeremiah describes it in Jeremiah 15:16, he says this, “When Your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, Lord God Almighty.” (NIV)

Jeremiah was given a very hard assignment! In fact, he has been called the weeping prophet because of his struggle with the message God gave to him to declare. Even early in chapter 15 he says that he wished he had never been born. Considering this, however, it is worth noting that his love for the Word of God was a delight and joy for him as he acknowledges the profound truth that he was an Image bearer of God. Just like each one of us is! God’s Word was meant to be consumed and digested as spiritual nutrition for us. We often talk about “feeding on God’s Word.”

In our readings above, we notice that the Word is eternal, it is a delight and joy, it sustains the weary, is a lamp at our feet, a light to our path keeps us from stumbling and gives great peace. Scripture is the essential guide, some call it a “roadmap”, that each of us needs; through the Bible God’s story is told, and that story contains an invitation through which God offers to us a knowledge of Himself.

Let’s ask the Spirit to make us hungry and thirsty for His Word that we might know the heart of the Father and be spiritually nourished and strengthened by it! In other words, that we might “eat the words of God” to our hearts joy and delight.

PRAYER

Father, may we be students of the Word so that we can encourage, support, and help the tired, discouraged, and overwhelmed with just a word. Give us a longing to know your story of love more and more through the pages of the Bible. Amen

KNOWING and KNOWN

 

AUGUST 20, 2025

Exodus 29:37-46

37 For seven days make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy.

38 “This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year old. 39 Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight. 40 With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from pressed olives, and a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering. 41 Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and its drink offering as in the morning—a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord.

42 “For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly at the entrance to the tent of meeting, before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you; 43 there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory.

44 “So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. 45 Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. 46 They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.

Philippians 3:7-11

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.


The setting for this passage in Exodus is a description of the role of the priests in the Tabernacle. You may recall that the Tabernacle was constructed because God wanted to be with His people in the wilderness. Our Bible’s reveal to us a most beautiful and strengthening truth, that our God is a “with us” God. From Creation, to the tabernacle to the temple, from the manger to the gift of the Holy Spirit, God demonstrates that He wants to be with us in relationship, and for us to know Him.

The word translated as “know” in verse 46 in Hebrew is the word “ya’da”. It is the same word used in Genesis 4:1, “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain…”. It is used over 900 times in Scripture. Its meaning goes beyond a casual knowing to include a knowing that is intimate. Do not confuse this word’s meaning with the phrase “yada, yada” that we often hear today. “Yada, Yada” as used currently means empty words, something akin to “blah, blah, blah”. The use of this word in relational contexts, we find “ya’da” means close connection, an intimate covenant, in which promises are made that are not meant to be broken.

The Apostle Paul writes of a similar knowing in Philippians. He had been a follower of Jesus for many years when he writes, “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;” (Phil 3:10) The transliteration of the word “know” in Philippians 3:10 is “ginosko”, also a knowing that connotes intimacy. The longing of Paul’s heart was to know Jesus in ever-increasing intimacy.

That is our longing too, isn’t it? We sing in worship at times the words “Knowing you Jesus, Knowing you, there is no greater thing.” To Know him, well to know anyone intimately means time set aside for the other. This time set aside for the discover of a person. It is not any different in our relationship with God. Knowing God means time spent focusing of discovery and learning. So, we need sacred space to meet with God, (a garden, or chair in our homes, maybe even an empty Church sanctuary) part of this meeting place is prayer, bible reading, and fasting, music, these are intentional ways to know God more deeply. Lean in, listen, rest, and wait. God wants you to know Him and remember, that our God is a “with us” God.



PRAYER

May the Lord open our eyes to see Him, our ears to hear Him, and our hearts to know Him and love Him more deeply. Amen

THE PLACE TO BEGIN

AUGUST 19, 2025

Genesis 1:1-5; 26-27



1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.




The best place to start anything is at the beginning!

Genesis teaches us so much. It is not a workshop or special report on creation, it is a poem, a beautiful story of love and relationship. In the first few verses we can see that God is supreme in His person, we marvel at His power, in action and word; and we witness His purpose, as creator, designer, rebuilder, restorer . . . . He created our world and us with a very clear intention!

Look back over these first 5 verses and note the activity of God:

God created (vs 1),

the Spirit of God hovered (vs 2),

God spoke (vs 3),

God saw (vs 4)

and God named (vs 5).

Over the next few days let us engage with these actions of God.

Today let me ask a series of questions and invite you to ponder your answers based on the Spirit’s working in your life.

What do you need God to create in you?

As the Spirit hovered over the dark and empty waters, waiting to create, what are the dark and empty places of your own life and where do you need the Spirit of God to hover and move?


What words do you need to hear Him speak over you or what truth do you need to speak into your own situation?


Do you need to know that God sees you?


What in your life do you need to name, acknowledge, or call out to God about?


Please know this today, God sees you, God loves you, God created you, on purpose and for a reason. Let us live out this awesome purpose!


PRAYER

God of all Creation, there is none like You. We worship You. Spirit of God, hover over us as You did in the beginning and create something new. Give us a fresh glimpse of Your glory and a new revelation of who You are in the days ahead. Amen.

OUR PEACE PROMISE

 AUGUST 18, 2025

Let’s begin our week a little differently than usual with some Bible verses that reveal the important biblical promises of Peace.

Read through the verses slowly and take in the message that God promises to us.

Perhaps, if time allows, you may want to make a list of words, phrases, or promises that really speak to you.

I invite you to read these promises through the lens of  Colossians 1:19-20.

19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 

The outcome of Jesus work of creation and restoration is peace.

___________________

John 14:27

“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.”


Isaiah 26:3

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”


Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”


Psalm 29:11

“The Lord gives strength to his people, the Lord blesses his people with peace.”


Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”


1 Peter 5:7

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.”


1 Corinthians 14:33

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”


John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”


2 Thessalonians 3:16

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”


Romans 8:6

“…the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”


Philippians 4:8-9

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things…and the God of peace will be with you.”

Ephesians 2:14

“For He Himself is our peace…”

Numbers 6:24-26

“The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

A GIFT WE ALL CAN GIVE

 AUGUST 15, 2025

1 Thessalonians 2:8

We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.



Authentic relationships are built on love. 

When you love someone, you give.

God loves us, and in His love, He gives.

Acts 17 says that God “himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. (Acts 17:25). Everything we have is a gift from Him. The breath you just took, the life you now have, the food you have eaten today (and will eat later), the roof over your head, the device you are using to read this devotional. It’s all a gift from above.

James 1 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17). John the Baptist said, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven” (John 3:27). Everything we have is a gift from God. The most well-known verse in all of the Bible speaks of God’s loving generosity: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

God loved us so much that He gave us the gift of His only Son to show us what it means to live in God’s presence. Through His sacrifice on the cross, we are forgiven and receive the gift of eternal life. There is no greater love than this! “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Would you agree with me that sacrificial love is the highest form of love? That’s the kind of love God has shown to us.

I believe that’s the kind of love Jesus wants us to show in our relationships. We give of our time, our attention, even our possessions when needed, even our very selves in love to others.

Any sacrificial love we show to one another on this earth reflects the immense love God has shown us by giving His Son, and the love Jesus demonstrated by laying down His life for us. Today, pray for God to fill your heart with that same love, and seek creative ways to meet the needs of those around you and share God’s amazing love with them.

“So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8)

THIRSTY?

AUGUST 14, 2025

Isaiah 55:1

Hey there! All who are thirsty, come to the water!

John 7:37-39a

37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit

Isaiah 12:2-3

Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.”
3 With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.



It was the last day of the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, a thanksgiving celebration of God’s provision for his people in the wilderness, including the miraculous outpouring of water from a rock (see Exodus 17). Jesus stood up and cried loudly at the Feast of Tabernacles, saying “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:37-38 NIV). Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit who had not yet been given.

How are you today? Are you feeling fearful, worried, confused, experiencing sadness? Is your attitude deflated or empty? 

The truth is we all have those times, we do not like these kinds of experiences, but we know them all too well. As I age, these experiences of feeling empty or worried etc, have caused me to wonder if my soul, my spirit, at the Holy Spirit’s prompting is sending me a sign that something is lacking spiritually. That I am thirsty. That I need a drink of Living Water. The New Testament teaches us that the Holy Spirit has been given to us, poured out upon us, and that means that it is God’s spirit that lives in us.

Isaiah 12 is a hymn, praising God for His faithfulness in keeping His promises, especially the promise of salvation. Isaiah encouraged the people that deep in God’s “wells of salvation” they would experience the cool water of God’s grace, strength, and joy (vv. 2-3). I wonder if those uncomfortable feelings that well up in us at times, are Jesus' way of nudging us to draw “living Water” from the wells of salvation.

Maybe the message is to pause, take a moment to be still, and drink deeply from the living waters of the Holy Spirit. Let God, through His word and Spirit, fill our souls, refresh and strengthen our hearts, and lead us to overflow with praise and gratitude to Him.

ASSIGNMENT COMPLETE

AUGUST 13, 2025

Isaiah 55:10-11


As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the Sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.


Do you remember learning during your school days about the amazing water cycle that God has put in place? Let's do a quick refresher on the entire water cycle Some quick points would be:

The rain falls down to the earth through precipitation; it waters and feeds the earth.
Then through the heat of the sun it evaporates and rises again.
As the air cools, condensation occurs and clouds are formed.
This continues until the clouds eventually drop their load through precipitation again and the cycle continues.

Think about the impact of rain... our scripture tells us that the rain waters the earth, makes it bud and flourish, and brings forth seed and bread. Just as there is a water cycle, there is a cycle for the word of God, we are told. The word comes from God, and has a specific purpose and will NEVER fail to achieve what God desires. And it too will return to God having accomplished its purpose.

Isaiah's point in using this illustration is that God's word is just as irresistible and effective as the rain is for the soil. We need God’s word of promise!! I am not much of a gardener, but I can tell you that there is nothing like the rain. It is perfect for the soil. You can stand out there day and night with a hose and saturate the ground to your heart's content. It will help a little - especially if the plant is dehydrated. But you don't see a lot of growth or plant vitality just on hose water. Yet when it rains... poof! Growth and life! God’s Word gives growth and life to each of us too!

Today, we need to remember that God’s ways are not our ways, but know this, God’s timing is always perfect. The rain falls in one season and the harvest comes in another. I wonder, what season are you in? Is this the rainy season or the harvest? Is this the preparation or the fulfillment of the blessing? Regardless of your season, know that God promises that His Word will always accomplish the tasks that He assigned to them, even if it’s not on our timeline. GOD IS FAITHFUL.


"the words that come out of my mouth do not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them."

Isaiah 55:11 The Message

ABIDE WITH ME

AUGUST 12, 2025

JOHN 15:5

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.


I watched a while ago a California Wine producer talk about the impact of weather on his industry and livelihood. He was asked if drought results in a negative impact on his business. He explained that a grapevine is quite amazing.

“The harsher the weather, the rougher that it is treated, the better grapes it produces. Extreme weather actually forces the roots to dig deeper to get what they need to survive. The result is a healthier, more productive plant.”

As he talked about the grapevine, my mind went to the image of the grapevine in the Bible, it is a rather popular image. The verses above came to my mind, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” The words, “remain in me” seemed to jump off the page.

The grapevine and our lives have a lot in common, we all go through tough times of drought, disappointment, discouragement, and despair. The Bible’s message to us during those uncomfortably hard times is “remain in God”. We know there are verses throughout scripture that teach us that God never disappears or abandons us; even though at times, it may feel like God is nowhere to be found. Yet, in our own life experience, and in that described of many characters is scripture, when we look back we discern that those rough seasons, those times of drought, disappointment, and despair are the seasons that we seem to grow the most. Could it be that like a grapevine’s roots in extreme weather we too, put down deeper roots into God’s care and promises?

I believe that it is during those hard times that we are forced to dig deep and to search out the answers we need to help us live fruitful lives. Adversities produce healthier fruit and make us stronger too. What John 15:5 is saying is that (Jesus) is the vine, and we are the branches. United in Him, we shall flourish and produce abundant fruit.

Today's Take Away is, Above all else, remain in Christ.

BECOMING FRUITIER

 AUGUST 11, 2025

Galatians 5:22-23

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things.



Don’t you love when summer fruits are in season? You wait and wait until your favorite ones are available. I find it is worth waiting for summertime produce to arrive. Nothing tastes better than a fruit salad prepared with fresh, local, seasonal fruit.

I was thinking the other day that just like our favorite fruits take time to develop before we can enjoy them, it takes time for the fruit of God’s Spirit to grow in us. It does not happen quickly, in a moment or with the snap of our fingers. I have discovered, that these nine fruits mentioned above do not tend to develop at the same rate. Our creator knows us, and God knows that some of His attributes, the fruits of the Spirit, take longer to produce in some of His followers, than they do in others. Our spiritual journey isn't a competition, it is a step by step growth patiently letting God produce his fruit in our lives.

You become “fruitier” (is that a word?) by abiding in the Vine, and through the work of God’s Spirit within you. In time, all nine fruits—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—will appear. Remember the song we used to sing “in His Time …. He makes all things beautiful, In His Time”?

Jesus said, “I am the sprouting vine and you’re the branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you-but when you live separated from me you are powerless” (John 15:5 The Passion Translation). Abide in Him and His fruitfulness will flow through you.


TAKE AWAY

Take a few minutes to slowly recite the fruits of the Spirit and ask God to show you the fruits in which you may need to grow and mature.

It’s More Than “Thanks”

 

August 8, 2025

Psalm 107:1 

"Give thanks to the Lord,

for he is good;

his love endures forever."

We tend to think of gratitude as just good manners, like saying “thanks” when someone passes the bowl of popcorn on family movie night, or the mashed potatoes at a family dinner. But in the Bible, gratitude is more than polite words. Gratitude is actually a form of worship.

When the psalmist says, “Give thanks to the Lord”, it’s not a suggestion, it’s a call to action. In Hebrew, that phrase “give thanks” is yadah, which means more than just verbal thanks. It’s also used for lifting your hands in praise. In other words, gratitude is physical, active, and directed toward God.

When we give thanks, we’re not just making a list of blessings. We’re acknowledging the Giver, and declaring, “I see what You’ve done, and I trust who You are.”

There is a reason Scripture is packed with commands to give thanks: gratitude pulls us out of self-focus and re-centers us on God.

When Israel grumbled in the wilderness (Numbers 11), they lost sight of God’s past faithfulness. But when they remembered what He had done, delivering them from Egypt, parting the Red Sea, providing manna, it fueled fresh trust for the future.

The same is true for us. Gratitude isn’t just “counting blessings” so we feel better. It’s a spiritual discipline that shapes our hearts to trust God more deeply.

We need to be clear, biblical gratitude doesn’t mean denial. It’s not about pretending everything is fine when it’s not. The Psalms are filled with both lament and thanksgiving

Psalm 13, for example, starts with, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” and ends with, “I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.” That’s faith! It’s the decision to anchor our soul in God’s goodness, even when "the waves are rough."

In the New Testament, Paul pushes it even further. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 he says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Notice, he doesn’t say to be thankful for all circumstances. God isn’t asking us to be grateful for evil or suffering. But He does call us to be thankful in the midst of them, because no matter what’s happening, His love remains constant, His kingdom is unshaken, and His promises endure.

Gratitude is rooted in God’s unchanging nature, not in our changing situations. It’s a response to His covenant faithfulness, the kind of steady love Psalm 107 celebrates: “His love endures forever.”


Practicing gratitude is a way of acknowledging a profound truth: that God is the source of all good things (James 1:17) and His goodness remains constant, even when life gets tough. It helps you avoid feeling spiritually abandoned and reminds you that you belong to a loving and faithful Father.

Let's Pray

God, thank You that Your love never runs out. Teach me to see Your fingerprints in my everyday life. Even in hard seasons, let my thanks be a way of saying, “I trust You.” May my gratitude become my worship. Amen.

Wait—God sings?

 

August 7, 2025

Zephaniah 3:17

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
 


Let that verse in Zephaniah sink in for a moment. Go ahead read it again slowly. 

Did you grasp the message for us there? Not just that God loves us, not just that He forgives us or puts up with us who are "prone to wander", but that He rejoices over us with singing.

That’s not typically how we imagine God, is it? I know that this idea that God our creator "rejoices over us with singing" is a beautiful and affirming thought. But let us be honest, isn't it true that far more often than we want to admit, we view God as distant, holy, serious, maybe even disappointed in us. We can very hard ourselves can't we? We show up for worship hoping God will be pleased with what we feel is our half-hearted praise, our weary prayers, and our struggling, stumbling faith. But what if we’ve got it backward?

The first time I remember reading this verse from Zephaniah I recall thinking: What if the God we come to worship is already singing and rejoicing over us? 

Zephaniah 3:17 unveils an intimate and stunning picture:
God is with us, not far off.
God is a Mighty Warrior, who is strong, powerful, victorious.
And yet, in all that strength, God is also gentle, delighting in us, quieting us with His love, and rejoicing over us with singing.

What we have here, is the image of a parent holding their child close, whispering comfort and joy. Or of a groom singing to his bride on their wedding day. Or that wild friend who bursts into a silly made-up song just because you walked into the room. This is joy that can’t stay quiet.

And don't miss the truth conveyed here, this joyful singing of our Creator is directed at us. 

God’s song is rooted in His love. God rejoices over us because we are His. Period. 

I pray today that we all may be able to embrace this truth from Zephaniah 3 that says we are deeply wanted, and valued no matter how we think of ourselves. Yes, we mess up. We hide. We struggle. We don't feel lovable at times. And the enemy tells us, “God wouldn’t sing over someone like you.” But that my friends is a lie for God's joy is strong toward us.

That is the heart of the gospel: God moves toward broken people, not away from them. And when God comes near, He comes singing.


Let's Pray

God, it’s hard to believe sometimes, that You could sing over someone like me. But You say it’s true. So help me quiet down long enough to hear Your voice of love. Let Your joy become my strength. Let Your delight become my peace. Amen.

 

Still Worth Praising

 

August 6, 2025

Psalm 150:6 

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord."

Here is wonderful Hymn that speaks of engaging in the act of Praise to our faithful God in all the experiences of life. This hymn finds its Biblical foundation in Psalm 103 and Psalm 150. If you have time read those Psalms today and then listen to the hymn below, see if you can relate to the reason(s) for praise.

Let’s face it.

Some days, praising feels effortless, the sun is shining, the coffee is perfect, and everything seems to fall into place. But then there are those other days, the heavy ones, when praise feels like a challenge, almost out of reach.

The hymn "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" isn't just meant for the good times; it's a beautiful reminder that God deserves praise every single day.

“Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth…” the hymn goes.

Sometimes when the world feels out of our control, it is hard to trust that God "so wonderously reigneth." That He’s still good. Still present. Still holding everything, even when we are barely holding it together. Do you know what I mean? Have you experienced this challenge of reconciling that "our God reigns" with the struggles of life. 

The Hymn goes on to ask us, “Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been granted in what He ordaineth?”

The hymn gently invites us to reflect, to recall moments when God was present, when He carried us through. Times when things didn’t go as planned but ended up better, or made us stronger. Those kind of memories can inspire our praise today.

So what if…
We praised even when we do not feel like it?
We sang, even with a heavy heart?
We said, “God, I trust You,” even through tears?

Praise isn’t pretending everything’s okay. It’s choosing to believe that God is still God, and still worthy, no matter what.  Let the words of Psalm 150 and today's hymn remind you that your story is held by a good and powerful God.

Let us Pray

God, You are worthy of praise on the best days and the hardest ones. Help me to praise You not just when I feel like it, but because You never stop being good. Help me to join my voice and thoughts with all creation by praising you Lord.

I will Sing Praise to You

 

August 5, 2025

 Psalm 71:14-22

But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
of your salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure.
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.
Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.
Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God,
you who have done great things.
Who, O God, is like you?
Though you have made me see troubles,
many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
You will increase my honor
and comfort me once again.
I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.

I hope that you all had a wonderfully refreshing long weekend.

Over the weekend I have been rereading C.S. Lewis book Reflections on the Psalms. The following passage from the book and Psalm 71 above really spoke to my spirit. Let's begin our week of devotions thinking about "Praise."

"I have never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise. … The world rings with praise—lovers praising their mistresses, readers their favorite poet, walkers praising their countryside. … I had not noticed either that just as men spontaneously praise whatever they value, so they spontaneously urge us to join them in praising it: Isn’t she lovely? Wasn’t it
glorious? … The psalmists in telling everyone to praise God are doing what all men do when they speak of what they care about.

… I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its
appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is
incomplete till it is expressed. It is frustrating to have discovered a new author and not to be able to tell anyone how good he is; to
come suddenly … upon some mountain valley of unexpected grandeur and then to have to keep silent because the people with
you care for it no more than for a tin can in the ditch."

C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms

What I’ve come to understand and keep being reminded of is that witnessing stems from worship. Sharing about God should naturally flow from our own joy in Him, just like pointing out a stunning sunset or recommending a great author or book to a friend. When you reflect on God’s beauty, glory, majesty, love, holiness, and mercy in your life, you’ll naturally feel the desire to share and proclaim His greatness. Take a moment to revisit Psalm 71, reading it slowly and noticing all the experiences the Psalmist highlights as worthy of praise. Then, let’s celebrate the hope we have in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.