Category: Devotion

What are you leaning on?  We may find ourselves leaning on the table, leaning over the counter or just leaning against anything that may hold a portion of our weight.  I remind my family often not to lean on doors.  They will look for something in the pantry or the fridge and just lean on the door that wasn’t meant to be leaned on.  When we lean on something else, we are shifting a portion of our weight from us in search of some relief from carrying it all ourselves.  It serves to provide us with a break, a moment of reprieve.

Leaning on others is one of those things we do which can help to form a bond.  You are likely very familiar with the song, Lean on Me.  The lyrics remind us of those who help us to carry on when we don’t feel like we can any longer.  An interesting part of leaning is when we lean together, no one is carrying all the weight – it is shared among many who can support one another.  It can be, though, we carry too much of other people’s heaviness.  We help to carry their sorrow and grief.  We help to carry their trauma and disappointments.  These are all important as we grow together.  But there are times when we need to learn to let others help us carry on as well.  It isn’t always easy to ask for help or to find someone willing to walk with us as we are nearly collapsing under the weight of it all.

These are times when we must learn to lean spiritually.  There are moments in our lives when all seems too much and we don’t have the support to hold us up.  These moments remind us of the Almighty – his arms so big and wide and strong.  These arms to carry us and hold us up when we cannot move forward.  These arms to give us the courage to get back up and try again.  Another song comes to mind – Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.  God’s arms are big enough to carry us through, even when we cannot find the strength to take the next step.

Are you struggling to find your way?  Maybe you are leaning on the things which cannot support you or hold you up.  Maybe start leaning on the only arms which can hold all the weight and guide you to freedom.  Maybe we lean on God.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 18:35-36

³⁵ You have given me the shield of your salvation,
    and your right hand has supported me;
    your help has made me great.
³⁶ You gave me a wide place for my steps under me,
    and my feet did not slip.

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

It was an odd morning on an odd day of an odd month in a very odd year.  It was over 30 degrees warmer this morning than yesterday.  The temperature will plummet again tonight.  It all was pleasant but overcast.  The clouds weighed heavy over the landscape this morning, holding the rain that would eventually burst through.  To the east, there was a small break.  It wasn’t much, but just enough.  The clouds parted ever so slightly and the rays of the sun rising squeezed out.  Behind them, beautiful blue skies were evident.  It would have been easy not to notice.  It was all there, just beyond the clouds.  The glimpse was enough to remind me hope is still alive.

I think this is what Christmas is about.  That first Christmas was quiet except for Shepherds, a star and those who happened to pass by.  It was quiet, it was simple, and it was filled with glimpses of hope scattered all throughout the earth.  It didn’t have to be extravagant.  It didn’t have to light up the whole sky.  Jesus’ name didn’t need to be in lights or written across the sky.  It was enough that Hope was born to simple folks in a simple place on a silent night with stars.  This Hope changed everything and he still is.  Christmas was just the beginning of all that was to come.

This Christmas, it may not seem very “Christmasy” because of all that is going on.  Just remember there is a glimmer of hope, rays of sunshine just beyond the clouds, and better days to come.  God is not done yet.  That means hope is still to come.  

Merry Christmas!

Focus Scripture:

Luke 2:7

⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

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

No GPS needed.  No additional instructions required.  They were people of the land.  They knew where they were and where to go.  This was how they made a living.  They sought out the lost and protected their own.  They were the perfect people to find a baby in the middle of an overcrowded town, in a barn with the animals.  I mean, who would have thought to look there?  They could have spent days or weeks looking and never found him.  He didn’t have a big fanfare.  There weren’t balloons on the mailbox.  There were no stork signs in the front yard.  Not even a blue bow was tied out front.  All they knew was to go to Bethlehem and find a baby that had just been born.  They did just that.

Shepherds are actually pretty incredible.  They are average, working class folks.  They are in the security business.  They manage large acreage and have many to take care.  The enemy is never far, so they must be really good at what they do or they won’t do it much longer.  They can’t afford to be lazy or uncaring.  They have to know the lay of the land.  They must know where to go if one of their own gets lost or steers off course.  They are specialists in finding the hidden.  They are shepherds.  And God chooses this group of people to find his baby in the middle of a chaotic town overcrowded due to a registration.  

I haven’t really thought much about how this could have been a challenge.  I have always pictured them walking out of their field and into the stable.  But there is a trip.  There is a search.  There is a sea of people they have to sort through to find a woman who has had a baby.  And this woman isn’t in a room and not in a home, but in a barn.  Yet, somehow, they do it.  God knew these were the right people to find Jesus.  They were made for this – even though they didn’t know this.  And when they showed up to the right place at just the right time, I can only imagine the excitement on their face and the joy in their heart.  God had sent them on the ultimate mission – the trip of a lifetime.  They were going to see the Messiah, announced to them by angels and a chorus.  This was more than a big deal – this was the discovery they had waited for generations.  Shepherds did it – and God knew it.

God knows just what he is doing when he calls us.  He knows exactly how capable we really are.  All of the dead ends we may have traveled could be preparing us for the ultimate adventure.  God could be using all of the training we felt was useless for something magnificent to bring him glory.  It may just be that God has a plan in it all.  We just need to pay attention and be faithful.  

Focus Scripture: 

Luke 2:15-20

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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

Christmas is almost here.  Last minute presents are being bought.  Mad dashes to the grocery store for those ingredients needed for the feast are in full force.  More Christmas songs are on the radio and the excitement of it all may actually find its way into our lives – if but for just a moment.  

One of my favorite parts of this time is reading the Christmas story in Luke.  It is quite the story and so many things happen to introduce the birth of a little baby who was the Messiah.  It seems to be an ever evolving drama and you can follow any of those in the story for a moment in their journey.  Today, I am following the shepherds.

I am always amazed at how God works.  He chooses to send the ultimate birth announcement to one of the lower groups in society.  These people made their living by watching over sheep.  I understand that Jesus will live as the Good Shepherd.  He will tell stories of shepherds and sheep.  He will help people to understand the importance of a shepherd.  I also know King David was a shepherd.  So I am sure it is no coincidence that this group of people were chosen to hear about the birth in a direct message from God.  I just find it amazing how God reminds us how much he loves every person and does not rank people like we so desperately attempt.  He created all humanity so all are his.  And this makes each one of us special.  He didn’t seek the shepherds because they were royalty.  He sought them because they were willing.  They would go and find the baby.  

And the angel’s message to the shepherds echoes this exactly – good news of great joy for ALL.  That’s right – the message was for all because Jesus came for all.  This Christmas gift was not exclusive.  It was not for the most devout.  It wasn’t for those who felt most deserving.  It was for all because Jesus is for all.  God tells your average shepherds that he has come for all.  That is good news of great joy indeed.  

May we celebrate the gift of Christmas – remembering Jesus came for all, to spread the ultimate love.  May we live in this love and share it.

Focus Scripture:

Luke 2:8-11

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

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

I heard the noise.  I knew it was close to me.  I had no idea what kind of animal it was, though.  It is not unusual to hear noises in the dark –  animals roaming around the woods first thing in the morning before the sun comes up.  It doesn’t bother me unless I sense they are close.  As I shine my flashlight in the direction of the noise, I see nothing.  It isn’t because there isn’t anything there.  It is because my flashlight doesn’t work.  Well, it does work but the light is so dim it really doesn’t help any at all.  It is useless, which is exactly what I call it as I flip it off.  I proceed on with my trek.  Then it dawned on me – my flashlight isn’t useless at all.  It would work just fine if I would change the batteries in it.  I’ve known about it for weeks.  The light has gotten dimmer over an extended period of time.  I have tried all of my usual tricks to make it work better.  It simply needs fresh batteries.  I know this.  But by the time I get home, I forget to replace them.  When I head out the next morning, sure enough, the batteries are still almost dead and the light is still so dim I cannot use it for anything helpful.  The flashlight would be just fine if I would give it what it needs to work properly.

We are the same way.  If we take care of ourselves, we can do the things we were created to do.  But we cannot do those when our batteries are dying.  We do not shine bright when we have exhausted ourselves.  We are not a light in a dark world when we are living in despair.  Sometimes all we need is a recharge. It may be we need to rest, to allow our bodies, minds and spirits to simply be still.  Those moments of quiet can help us when all else is in chaos.  It could be we need to spend time with our Creator.  God may be calling us to spend time with him so we can reflect him for others.  He may need to shine his light into us so that we are a bit brighter.  It could be we need to take care of ourselves – eat better, exercise.  Those things help us to live healthy and do all we need to do to share God’s love.  Whatever it might be, our batteries do need to recharge.  When we are running on empty, it isn’t that we are broken – it is more like we have drained all our resources and have nothing to draw from.  We weren’t made to live like this.  

Today, find out how you might recharge.  Work on taking care of yourself so you might be a bright light in a dark world.  Connect to the Source and find renewal.

Focus Scripture:

John 15:4-5

⁴ Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 

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

Today, as we approach Christmas, Mary is on my mind.  Jesus’ birth was announced as good news of great joy.  There were proclamations of glory and whispers of peace scattered throughout the land.  Excitement among those who knew of the pregnancy had to permeate the whole group.  But let us not forget Mary.  Sure, she was a faithful young woman who had a calling from God.  Mary was also human.  She was a young woman who was unmarried and was very pregnant.  She now had to make a trip with her soon-to-be husband, who, by the way, is not the baby’s father.  She had to leave the comforts of her home where she would take her very pregnant self somewhere for something some official had told them was required.  

Can you imagine how she must have felt?  She had to bear quite a bit of the weight of it all.  Shepherds come to her excited.  Later, magi will show up at her door.  Older and wiser men and women will proclaim great things over her beautiful baby boy.  Good news of great joy is indeed to come.  But for now, she is a single, pregnant woman who is getting ready to travel and will likely not make it home before this baby is born.

Joy and peace and hope do not always look like we think they should.  They do not always fit the mold we have created.  God tends to do things outside of our mindset.  Since he is the Creator, he isn’t limited to our narrow points of view.  And he doesn’t need us to understand.  He simply asks for faithfulness.  In the end, that is what Mary was – faithful.  She did get to experience good news of great joy, but only because she was faithful even when all looked frightening and shaky.  She prepared for a journey not knowing how it would all turn out.  But her faithfulness is still reverberating in our world today.  What a gift of great joy!  

Will you be faithful even when you do not understand?  There just may be joy, peace, hope and love just around the corner.  

Focus Scripture:

Luke 2:1-6

2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴ Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. ⁵ He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.

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

It is interesting to me how we place value on most everything.  We place obvious values on the things we are willing to spend our money.  We place value on our time – what will we do and what will we have to say no to doing.  We even place value on people.  Some people offer more than others in our eyes.  We look at what they bring to the table, so to speak.  It is how business works and we let that flow into our personal lives.  It easily spills over into how we see ourselves.  We look at how valuable we are to others.  But what if we are looking at it all wrong?  What if we are missing it?  What if our measurement is incorrect?

One of the most precious people in my life is my Grandmother.  She is a sweet, petite, little firecracker.  She has helped to raise a family, take care of a farm, and work a job on her own.  She has spent her life working (and working really hard).  She cleans more precise than anyone I know.  She has cooked so many meals and fed so many stomachs that it cannot be counted.  She has been an encourager and always tried to live out her beliefs.  She loves God and she loves her family.  I think she is pretty incredible.  

Grandma is getting older.  She cannot do the things she once did.  She cannot cook or clean or work as she always has.  Her body is giving her every signal that she needs to rest more and work less.  This isn’t really working well for her.  It isn’t who she has been for all these years.  And it is obvious this bothers her.  It is obvious she is upset she has to have help.  She doesn’t like the fact that she cannot do all she wants to do.  She sometimes indicates that she doesn’t want to be a burden or bother others.  But Grandma is missing it.  She is missing the fact that her value is not in her work or her cooking or anything else she has done.  Her value is in her.  She is the gift.  She is the treasure.  No matter what she can or cannot do – she is the most valuable.  It doesn’t require her to work or cook or anything else at this point.  She has done her work.  She can now allow others to help her – those she has helped so many times before.  She can now just enjoy her days without worrying about all the things to do.  But this requires her to see that her value is found in her.  She is a beautiful creation of God who is a joy simply because she is here.  Nothing is required of her.  She can just be and that is enough for us all. 

Where do you place your value?  When you look in the mirror, what do you see?  Do you see a valuable gift of God?  Do you see a beautiful creation by the ultimate Creator?  Do you see that you hold value simply because you are here?  Don’t miss it.  Our value isn’t based on the world’s system.  Our value is based in the One who gives us life and breath.  And he thinks you are more valuable than you could ever imagine.

Focus Scripture:

Matthew 10:30-31

³⁰ And even the hairs of your head are all counted. ³¹ So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

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

We never really know what is on the horizon.  We can make plans.  We can set expectations.  We can review the guesses on the weather channel.  We can check every box and still nothing goes as we would like.  And that is okay.  It has to be.  We don’t always get to choose what is happening.  We don’t control everything, even as much as we would like to think we do.  Things will happen which we cannot predict or fix or change.  And it has to simply be okay – even when it isn’t.  

Learning to let go a little can certainly relieve some of our stress and anxiety.  When we can learn to live trusting in our Creator rather than our abilities, we find a sense of ease.  It doesn’t mean all goes well.  It doesn’t even mean we will like the outcome.  It also doesn’t mean we sit around just watching to see what happens.  We are still working.  We are still planning.  We are still dreaming just beyond the horizon.  These are all good things – really good things.  What we aren’t doing, though, is stressing every single time plans change.  We aren’t getting overly anxious when our plans are redirected.  We aren’t giving up when the horizon looks more like an imminent storm on our perfectly planned picnic.  It is a means of simply letting go and breathing.

This all sounds great in print.  Putting it into practice is quite a different task.  For some of us, it can take many tries to get it even close to right.  But, we continue to try.  The only way to move forward is to keep reaching for the horizon.  We must keep moving forward to a better future, one with hope and promise.  We cannot give up trying just because the storm today has wrecked our plans.  The storm will pass, we will pick up the pieces, and we will move forward.  We do this best when we trust in the Creator of it all.  He has a way of calming our fears, relieving our distress, and giving a fresh, hopeful, loving future to an otherwise disastrous day.  

Keep dreaming beyond the horizon.  There is so much good that awaits.  It may look very different than any of us might expect.  But it might just be exactly what we are looking to find.  

Focus Scripture:

Proverbs 3:5-6

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not rely on your own insight.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.

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

Isn’t it interesting how we often know the right answer but still do something different?  We know the foods our bodies need but we still go for the things which cause us distress.  We know we do better when we exercise but then don’t go and exercise.  We know we need to fill our hearts and minds with good things but sometimes the crap on TV is just interesting at the time.  We know the right path and still choose something different.  

It takes a lot to change our course.  We could make a decision we are going to do better in the blink of an eye but it will take a lifetime of constantly doing better to see results.  In our minds, we may have big plans but then we have to put these plans into motion.  Sometimes it is easier to just not.  Actually, most of the time, it is easier not to do it.  

I fight this battle often.  I know that running and exercise will help me tremendously.  I know what happens when I don’t do these things.  I have a history to show me how much better I do when I simply choose to get out and go for a simple 3 mile walk or run.  I can show facts of how exercise completely changes my mental state.  Yet, to get up and go exercise takes effort.  It takes a swift kick to get me out of the house and into the cold.  It takes planning.  And sometimes, I would just rather not.  And I pay for it.  

This isn’t just for our physical bodies.  I find this is true for us spiritually as well.  We can get caught up in the routine we face every day.  We can become consumed by family and obligations.  Good things can so overtake our day that we do not take any time to simply be.  We do not take the time to take care of us.  We do not take the time to hear God in the wind or sense his presence in our own breath.  We miss how we are being loved and adored by the Creator of the entire world because we are wrapped up in our things.  Sure, noticing these things can completely change us.  But it takes time and effort and a willingness to change.  Sometimes, it is easier to just not.  But then, what do we miss?

Today, make it a point to stop and just be.  For just a moment, seek God.  He is here.  He is loving us.  We may be changed if we will just pause.  And then pause again.  And then, pause…again.  May we feel his presence in the pause.

Focus Scripture:

Matthew 11:28-29

²⁸ “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ 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.

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

Today it is simple.  We are going on a treasure hunt.  No tools needed.  No vehicle required.  You do not need to change your schedule nor alter your day.  All you need is to pay attention.  These are all things placed before us, hidden in plain sight.  

So here we go:  

• Find small joys hidden among the craziness.  
• Find a moment of laughter despite the circumstances.  
• Find treasures of peace in the chaos and the noise.  
• Find glimmers of hope in the dark parts of our lives.  
• Find the bit of extra energy needed to be kind.  
• Find God loving you when you can’t even love yourself.  
• Find a moment to breathe, taking in God’s lovingkindness and breathing out the harmful things we are holding onto.  
• Find a moment just to be.  

God is here.  And that is all we need.

May your treasure hunt result in a whole collection of good things today.  Happy Monday!

Focus scripture:

Psalm 136:1

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

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