Category: Devotion

“God, I thank you.”  Those words seem so easy.  They should be on the tip of our tongue at most any moment.  We have so much to be thankful for.  A day should not go by without taking account of all we are thankful.  It should be part of our day to give thanks to the One who provides us more than we ever think, imagine, or realize.  And when things are going well, thanks can roll right from our lips.  When a prayer is answered the way we asked, we give thanks.  When things come out the way we desired, we proclaim thanks.  Those are given – or at least should be. 

What about the times when thanks is not our first response?  What about the times when our prayers are not answered the way we asked, requested and pleaded?  What about the times when we didn’t get the test results we wanted?  What happens when there is more work to do and it stares us in the face with such force?  What do we do when our world, at least as we see it at the time, falls apart?  I don’t know about you, but thankfulness is not automatic.  Most of the time, thankfulness is the farthest from my thoughts.  If I am honest, I often fail to see anything in which to give thanks.  I can be mad or angry, disappointed or hurt.  But to give thanks?  The human in me says no thanks.  

And yet, there are still so many things to give thanks for – so many beautiful gifts filling our world.  While our own world may seem shattered at the time, this does not mean God has stopped working.  It does not mean he is not with us.  It does not mean he has forsaken us.  It does not mean we are abandoned.  There are still so many things in which to give thanks.  It takes just a moment to realize all we have been given.  It takes just a step back (or two or three) from our perspective.  It takes just a word of thanks to help change the view which holds us hostage.  

Giving thanks is not always easy or welcome or our first response.  Sometimes it is our absolute last response.  Today, maybe we make it our only response – God, I thank you.  No matter what comes my way, I thank you.  No matter what I may face today, I thank you.  You are with me and I thank you.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 28:6-7

⁶ Blessed be the Lord,
    for he has heard the sound of my pleadings.
⁷ The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    in him my heart trusts;
so I am helped, and my heart exults,
    and with my song I give thanks to him.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

March is always one of those months we expect to see some stormy weather.  It is as if Spring is trying to be birthed from Winter and it doesn’t always flow so well.  This morning, as God began to turn on the lights on my part of the world, I noticed the sky.  Sure, it is still really windy and stormy.  But the sky looked so angry.  It seemed to speak of its displeasure with all that was going on.  It moved and shifted as if it had a message to speak. 

We can certainly take this as a part of the progression of this season.  Or we could see a sign, a message of sorts.  Over the years of reading and studying the Bible, it has become really evident to me that God has an expectation of us we often overlook.  I don’t remember hearing much about it growing up, if at all.  I don’t remember this ever being a focus in the church.  But God has given us a directive to care for his good creation.  We are taught in Genesis that God created and it was good.  He continued to create good things, including you and me.  And when he created humanity, he gave us the responsibility for loving and caring for all he had created.  It is our job – our high calling, so to speak.  Yet, it seems to be the most overlooked.

We treat God’s creation as if it is expendable.  We don’t worry about what we are doing because we will die and it will be someone else’s responsibility.  We want what we want when we want it, regardless of the price there is to pay.  We don’t want to sacrifice or do anything which may inconvenience us.  We simply ignore all the signs, ignore God’s directive, and ignore anything which gets in our way.  Yet, if we believe God created, how can we not be concerned for all he created?  If we truly believe God provided, how can we be so irresponsible with the things which he has provided?  It seems to be poor stewardship.  It seems to go against our calling.  It is wrong.

The good news is – it is never too late.  As long as God continues to create, we have the opportunity to care for his creation.  Take note of the things you do in a day.  Think about the ways you impact – for good or bad – this good creation.  Consider changes we can all begin to make to follow God’s directive and care for his goodness.  May it begin with me.

Focus Scripture:

Genesis 1:28-31

²⁸ God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” ²⁹ God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. ³⁰ And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. ³¹ God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

What do you look forward to?  Are you waiting on Friday to get here?  Is there a vacation you have in mind you can’t wait to happen?  Are you looking forward to a special event or an important birthday?  Are there milestones coming up you anxiously await?  

We all want something to look forward to.  We want something we can see ahead of us to keep us going through the mundane of daily work and life.  We want a target, some goal ahead we can achieve to keep us focused.  We may just want the week to be over – so we are looking for the end of it.  

What if we looked forward to each new day?  I know…it sounds a bit crazy.  Not many of us wake up each morning excited about the day ahead – unless it is that special day or we are on vacation or we can sleep in for a change.  But what if the mundane, normal daily life became something we were excited about?  What if we woke up looking forward to our work or whatever we need to do that day?  Could it change our perspective on what happens?

I am not saying every day will be great.  But if we woke up seeking the good in each day, looking forward to what God has planned, I think it would help us to realize all we have been given.  We may lead more thankful lives.  Our lives may be filled with more hope and joy.  We might begin to see the opportunities we had previously missed.  We may find God is with us…even at work or the doctor’s office or the grocery store.  We just might find there really is something to look forward to each and every day.  

This is the day that the Lord has made.  May we get excited about all he has planned.  May we seek the good.  May we see God.

Focus Scripture:

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

We all struggle in some way.  We all find ourselves afraid at times.  We all have issues we cannot seem to resolve.  Many of us fight anxiety or loneliness.  Some are riding the overwhelming waves of grief.  Others are lashing out in anger for no apparent reason.  We can hide all of these feelings deep inside, but they eventually show themselves in unexpected ways.  

What if we approached our day with the understanding that everyone struggles.  From the outwardly most confident to the completely humble, everyone has something they are dealing with.  We don’t always talk about it – not everyone has earned the right to hear our story.  We don’t always let people in on our issues – people can take advantage if placed in the hands of the wrong ones.  So many put on a brave face and move forward.  

If we start with the understanding that we are all struggling in some way, could it make us more understanding?  Could it be we find ourselves more patient?  I wonder if we could become more kind and loving – even to those who seem so angry and mean and harsh.  Could it be the people who most drive us crazy could actually steer us to prayer?  I think we could approach the world a lot differently if we simply realize no one is immune to difficulties.  No one gets an easy ride in this life.  Some struggle more than others – but no one gets to avoid difficulties altogether.  

May we find ourselves more kind today.  May we shine with the light of Christ, showing hope as we move through our world. 

Focus Scripture:

Galatians 5:22-23

²² By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

One of the things that is most alarming is how we treat one another.  It isn’t as if this is anything new.  I have been reading about some of the Saints of the Church recently.  In too many cases, the saints ended up being martyred.  Why were they killed?  They were killed because they refused to deny their faith.  They held firm to their faith in God and this made someone in charge angry.  So they were tortured or killed.  This all happened because people with power thought they were so right that everyone who didn’t agree was wrong.  The wrong was so wrong that death was the answer.  Believe like me…or else – this was a clear statement.

While this does still occur in other countries, in the United States, this should not be the case.  It does, however, show up in other ways.  We have decided that everyone must believe like us or they are wrong – so wrong we can’t fellowship with them.  If someone doesn’t act, vote, believe, speak and think like I do – they are out.  Yet, this isn’t at all the teaching of the Bible.  

I can’t help but think how self-absorbed  and yet insecure the emperors and rulers must have been.  They had to have people to tell them they were great and their ideas were perfect – probably because they didn’t even believe it themselves.  They couldn’t even take it when someone disagreed with them – speaks of extreme insecurity to me.  But too often, we can fall into similar traps.  If someone doesn’t agree or believe like me, am I so insecure about what I believe that I cannot even hear them or want to be around them?  Do they need to believe like me…or else?  I don’t think so.

It seems to me we are taught a different way.  We are taught the way of God’s love.  We are taught the way of compassion and kindness.  This way doesn’t have room to bully someone else into our beliefs.  It doesn’t give space for belittling someone else for ideas and opinions different than our own.  This way is one of giving.  This way is one of praying for one another.  This way is one of patience.  This is the way of Jesus.  

Consider how you treat those who do not believe like you.  How might we show the love of Christ in ways that reach out rather than set ultimatums?

Focus Scripture:

Colossians 3:12

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

It isn’t always easy to seek the good.  It is much easier to find the negative, the hurt, the difficulties.  Pain is a steady reminder.  The lack of pain we tend to ignore.  We are aware when things are not going the way we would want them to go.  We are afraid when we seem to have lost our footing.  But when do we seek the good?

It seems to take more focus and attention to seek the good.  We may be grateful things are going well.  We may realize there is a lack of pain or fear.  But mostly, we just go on with our daily lives – ignoring the good which surrounds us.  It is so easy to do when we don’t constantly seek out the good.  When the good is what we desire, we can forget to be thankful when it does happen.  Since distress provides such hyper awareness, it could be we become lulled when the distress is gone.  What if we made it a point to actually seek the good?

I admit this isn’t always easy.  It can seem false.  We can become so accustomed to our daily lives finding the good can feel impossible.  We may have a tendency to just make up things so we can say we did it.  But God has provided so many good things all around us.  He has showered us with goodness.  It may be we just haven’t spent the time or effort to seek it.  

Today, seek the good.  God has provided it.  We simply need to recognize it.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 122:9

⁹ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will seek your good.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

I woke up this morning to a pretty incredible surprise.  I walked right by it the first time – I account this to the fact I had not consumed coffee yet.  As I let Leo back into the house, it was right there – so bright and beautiful before me.  It took me by such surprise.

Before the winter, our sweet friend Gale had left me with a flower pot with a plant in it.  She knows how much I enjoy flowers and plants and the outdoors.  She was moving and gifted this to us.  I watered it and took care of it.  But I must be honest – I thought I had killed it.  It had no green anymore and just looked pitiful.  When winter came, I brought it inside.  I continued to look after it, even though it really had no signs of life.  Leo was the only one to find it fascinating so I had to put it in a stand – out of his immediate reach.  At some point over the last couple of months, it began to have little stems spring up.  They looked promising and I was overjoyed I had not completely ruined it yet.  It has continued to grow and develop buds on the ends of the stems. I had no idea what the blooms looked like, when they bloomed or what to expect.  Last night, as we were fixing dinner, I pointed the plant out to Wendy.  One of the blossoms looked as though it would open in the next few days or weeks.  We decided we would send Gale a message the next day.  I woke up this morning to the biggest, most beautiful bloom.  I was shocked and amazed and overjoyed.

This may not sound like much to you – but for me, this was a gift I had not expected.  It was a joyful surprise and reminded me of God’s goodness.  The verse for today – which I have used several times just because of its meaning – immediately came to mind.  God’s mercies are new every day.  We just don’t always see them.  We walk by them.  We give up when we feel all is lost.  It may be God is working beneath the surface to produce something pretty amazing.  We simply have to watch, be patient, and wake up to God’s mercies.  If we pay attention, they may just take our breath away.  It sure did mine.

Focus Scripture:

Lamentations 3:22-23

²² The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, 
    his mercies never come to an end;
²³ they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

This Photo included in today’s Devotion is captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

I am not a great singer.  If I am honest, I am not really even a good singer.  But I love music.  I cannot begin to describe the way music moves and flows through our lives.  There are so many times a song will become our words, a tune become the cries of our hearts.  Music is definitely a gift from God.  

It is no wonder the Psalmist in Psalm 100 writes and sings of making a joyful noise to the Lord.  We are reminded to enter God’s presence with singing.  There are no try outs for this choir.  There are no specifications.  You don’t need to be able to read music or know what a G sounds like.  You only need to come into God’s presence with singing – full out, all you.  

We may find when we are in distress, songs become our prayers.  We sing the words our hearts cannot speak.  We hum a tune of a familiar hymn which carries us back to a time of joy.  We hear the exclamation of God’s creation singing to him in their own way and their own songs. 

While we may detect if someone is way off key and even may distort our face at the lack of musical talent, God doesn’t.  He welcomes our songs.  He welcomes us to pour out our hearts with singing.  He doesn’t score us based on our talents.  He invites us based on our willingness to come into his presence.  

Come into God’s presence with singing.  May a tune fill your heart today.  May your prayer be filled with a song.  Sing to the Lord, he loves to hear us sing.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 100:1-2

¹ Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
²     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come into his presence with singing.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

We may not always feel like we belong.  We can feel out of place, like we are searching for a home.  It may be we feel like we are the odd person out.  We don’t quite fit in with everyone else.  We can feel like we are sticking out like a sore thumb.  Sometimes we conform to fit in – try to act like everyone else.  Other times, we may go the exact opposite way so we appear even more unique.  Some of us would rather shrink into the background and go unnoticed if at all possible.  

Here’s the amazing part – we already belong in God’s kingdom.  We are already a part of his big, loving family.  Because he made us, we are unique – and that is good.  He made us just the way we are and loves us immensely.  We do not have to become someone else for God to love us or for us to have a place in the family.  He has a place for you and me, just the way we are. 

Sure, we have things we need to work on- we are not always kind, loving, peaceful, and joyful.  But those are things we work on to become more like Christ.  Who we are, at the very core of who we are – is good enough.  Who we truly are when all the mess of this world is stripped away is exactly the person God loves.  We don’t have to buy things to impress God.  We don’t have to pretend to be someone we are not.  We simply are loved.

I am grateful he made each of us so unique.  We bring special gifts and talents, personalities and surprises.  We offer something to the family – a specialty made by a God who loves us.  We already belong.  Today, may we celebrate that God loves us, just the way we are.  No pretending needed.  No show required.  It is good to belong.  It is good to be loved.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 100:3

³ Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he that made us, and we are his; 
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

Gossip tends to spread like wildfire.  People cling to it and then dish it as they go.  Most of the time, it is without regard to the others involved.  Sometimes it is disguised as prayer requests.  But it is always hurtful and unnecessary.  

What if we were this addicted to praise and thanksgiving?  What might it look like for us to be excited to hear how good God has been to someone?  How might we live differently if we sought the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living?  It might change our outlook on pretty much everything.   Gossip is good for nothing but praise and thanksgiving to God is life giving.  

We choose what we speak.  We choose what we let come out of our mouths.  We choose what we let into our hearts and we choose what we listen to and to whom we listen.  These are our choices.  Our choices make a difference.  In today’s focus scripture, the Psalmist is encouraging the redeemed to speak about it.   Giving thanks to God and recognizing his steadfast love is worth sharing.  Understanding how God has brought us so far despite ourselves is praise invoking.  When we begin to sense how God is redeeming us, remaking us, and renewing us, how can we not give praise?

We choose what we speak.  We choose what we spread.  We choose what we listen to and what is shared.  Since we choose, may we choose praise.  May we choose thanksgiving.  May we choose love.  There really is no good reason for gossip.   There are infinite reasons for thanks.  Let the redeemed say so…

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 107:1-2

¹ O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
² Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    those he redeemed from trouble

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery