Category: Devotion

Our dog, Leo, is spoiled.  That is probably an understatement.  Everyone that spends time with Leo gives him something.  He is cute and sweet so it is hard to resist giving him something extra.  We always say that Leo is living his best life.  He is treated like the king in our household.  He’s pretty sure he is the king.  The deal with Leo is that he is lovable.  He doesn’t mind curling up next to you and sitting with you when you are having a rough time.  He doesn’t ask for too much and he will be glad to just love us even when we aren’t that lovable.

It really is easy to love those that are just lovable.  Those people that bring joy when you are around make you want to love them.  You want to do things for them.  You want to go the extra mile because you feel like they are just worth it.  It happens to us all.  We need those lovable people in our lives and we will do whatever to help them.  But we are also called to love the un-lovable.  We are given directives to love the grumpy, hateful, rude folks.  We are told to love those that don’t look like us or act like us or believe like us.  We are challenged to reach outside of our circle and love those that we would never consider even carrying on a conversation.  Those are the people we are to love.  

That’s really the rub for most of us.  To love someone means we cannot simply avoid them.  We cannot ignore them.  We cannot pretend they don’t exist.  They do and those are the people we are to love.  We are looking at those that we are sent to care and nurture.  

Maybe it begins with seeing them again for the first time.  Maybe we start by seeing them as God’s creations…as God’s beautifully and wonderfully created children…as people that are loved by an amazing God just like us…as people that actually aren’t that different from us if we really tried to get to know them.  Maybe we begin to see them with a whole new vision – a vision given to us by God – to see the heart rather than the exterior.  Maybe today we simply begin with seeing God in others.  That may be just the place to begin.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 139:16

¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
    Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.

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

For something to be abounding, it has to be abundant and extraordinarily plentiful.  There has to be so much of it that the quantity cannot be counted.  The beginning and the end cannot be comprehended.  Some of our closets look like we are trying to define abounding in our stuff.  Sometimes we work as though we want to abound in money.  Yet, in all too many cases, we are abounding in stress and anxiety, worry and fear.  This is not what God has provided.  God has so much more for us, but it is not found in possessions or accumulations.  There is so much more than all of this.

Several times in the Bible, God is described as abounding in steadfast love.  That has captured my attention.  His love is overwhelmingly abundant.  His love is so plentiful that I cannot equate it.  I cannot see the beginning or the end of it.  Everywhere I look and everywhere I go, his love is there.  His love calls me from the depths of despair and showers me in the mountains of praise.  His love is abounding.  And his love is steadfast.  To be steadfast is immovable, consistent, and enduring.  So we have been given a love that is not only abounding, but also is with us and not changed by us.  Since we didn’t earn it, all we can do is welcome it.  We welcome God’s overwhelming, extraordinarily plentiful, immovable love into our lives.  We are loved beyond our comprehension. 

It does not mean I always feel his love.  It does not mean I will ever understand it.  It does not mean that there will not be suffering or difficulties or tragedies.  What it does mean is that in spite of all those things, God’s love is with us.  What it means is that those things do not hinder or change God’s love.  If God’s love is truly abounding and steadfast, our problems do not squash it.  Our issues do not diminish it.  Our hurts and pains do not dismiss it.  We are given God’s amazing love because that is who God is.  Maybe it is simply time we welcome this love into our lives.  May this abounding, steadfast love change you – and may you share it.  God’s love can do it.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 86:1-7

¹ Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy.
² Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you;
    save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; ³ be gracious to me, O Lord,
    for to you do I cry all day long.
⁴ Gladden the soul of your servant,
    for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
⁵ For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
    abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
⁶ Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
    listen to my cry of supplication.
⁷ In the day of my trouble I call on you,
    for you will answer me.

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

I didn’t realize I needed a guard.  I am not famous.  I don’t have a lot.  I am not in high demand.  Why would I need a guard?  I don’t need the type of guard you may be thinking.  I need the type of guard that Psalmist prayed to receive.  I need a particular type of guard that would make me more like Christ.  I need the type of guard that would help me to be kind and loving and thoughtful.  What type of guard is it?  The Psalmist asked God, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”  That I could definitely use.

I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to think before I speak.  That is why I prefer to write.  It helps me to filter my thoughts, hopefully with some love and compassion added in.  I am able to consider what God has for me to say rather than just what I am thinking.  That’s an important component – what God would have me to say.  Can you imagine a guard over our mouths and God keeping watch of the door of our lips?  As I get ready to speak, I can imagine losing my voice.  I can just imagine not being able to make a full sentence.  I would definitely say a lot less!  There could be some definite advantages.

Maybe a guard is just what we need.  But we need a guard over our keyboard and phone as well.  We need a guard over our thoughts.  We need a guard to keep us from posting hateful things or speaking malice.  We need a guard to filter the things we think are so important but are really just judgmental.  We need a guard to slap our hands or shut our mouths before we spew anything that is not pleasing to God.  I could use a guard.  Maybe I listen to God today – he may already have set that guard if I would just listen.  Set the guard, Lord…Set the guard.

Focus Scripture: 

Psalm 141:1-3

I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me;
    give ear to my voice when I call to you.
² Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
    and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.

³ Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;
    keep watch over the door of my lips.

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

I had been putting it off.  I basically just avoided it at all costs.  I’m super busy so it isn’t too difficult to justify not doing it.  And it has been so hot that it was the push I needed to ignore it.  Today, though, was the day.  It was the day to work in the yard and pull the weeds.  As much as I love being outdoors, pulling weeds may be my least favorite part of yard work.  To give you an idea of how long I had waited, the weeds had taken over everything including the patio.  It was bad enough that even Wendy noticed it was time to get it done.  Wendy doesn’t go outside except for the trash.  She wanted to know when I would take care of it.  The was the final indication that it had gotten way out of control.  So I got it done today.

I started with the weed-eater.  That worked for a while.  It knocked the major parts down.  It couldn’t get it all.  I almost let that be it.  It already looked so much better, what would a few weeds matter?  But, I could hear my mother’s voice in my ear.  She taught me to do the difficult parts, it makes it worth it in the end.  And she was working in her own yard next door (showing me up, nonetheless) so I kept going.  But something interesting happened today.  Something I can’t remember happening before when I have pulled the weeds.  I found life.  Life actually existed among the weeds.

There were worms and bugs crawling about as I had disturbed their cover.  They had to find other places to rest.  I found little flowers that would not have been detected when walking by.  They were so very small that they would go unnoticed even if there were no weeds.  Because I was on my knees pulling the weeds so close, I had the joy of finding these beauties.  This all made me smile.  It did my heart good to know that even in the middle of a mess, God had placed beauty and life.  Even when it seemed as nothing existed except large ugly weeds, there was life hiding, waiting to be found.  

Our lives can seem full of weeds, it can be difficult to imagine there is still any life left.  When nothing seems to be going right, there is actually beauty down deep.  There are joys that are hidden, waiting to be discovered.  Sometimes we have to get involved and take the weeds out.  We might just find so much more than we thought could ever exist.  God has given you joys unspeakable – even among the weeds.  May you find life and beauty today.  It is waiting to be discovered.

Focus Scripture:

³ All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being ⁴ in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

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

Who do you ask for directions?  Some of us would drive for days before we would ask anyone.  Some would ask anyone we saw – no matter who they were.  When we are lost, we might become more willing to ask. There are always those who are “never lost” even when they have no idea where they are.  Surely the next turn will reveal the right path, we tell ourselves. 

We often seek direction in all the wrong places, though.  If someone is asking me for directions, for instance, they are likely to get a look of confusion.  I am not the one to ask how to get somewhere.  I will always do my best to get help, though.  I will not lead you the wrong way.  I have no trouble admitting I have no idea.  And there are those that just have the gift of knowing which direction is best and guiding in just the right way.  I am thankful for those people.

Today, though, I want to think about our direction in life.  We listen to others about what we should do, where we should be, and how we should do things.  We measure success by others expectations.  We allow other people to tell us how we are doing and what we should do differently.  We don’t always consider the value of their input.  We just accept it.  

What if we measure ourselves by different standards?   What if we, instead, used a reliable guide to determine our success?  What if we listened to an authority that has been proven right over and over again?  What if I told you we have access to this authority at any time and any place?  We have the Bible and the example of Jesus.  We have this amazing resource we can draw direction, but we instead listen to people around us that have no clue.  We have an example of how to live peaceably but we choose to do it our own way.  We have the guide on how to love, but we allow others to tell us the right way to love.  Why?  We do it because those voices are loudest.  We do this because those around us are always in our path trying to direct us.  What if we put the Bible in our path more often?  What if we sought the direction of God rather than the direction of other people?  We might find we are on the better path.  We might find we aren’t lost as much.  We might even find the way of love.  It is certainly worth the effort.  Guide us, God.  Guide us.

Focus Scripture:

John 16:13-14

¹³ When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

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

In a world where we can have anything brought to us in less than a couple of days, we do not adjust well to slow.  When a line is slow at the store, we are not happy.  When traffic is slow, we are ready to take another route.  When people drive slow or talk slow or walk slow, we are ready to move around them in whatever way we can.  Sometimes I look over at people that are driving slow and they look terrified, like they are doing the best they can just to not get clobbered.  We don’t do slow.  Yet, how much of our progress comes slowly?  How many of the most valuable things come to us when we take our time and energy?  We often want to avoid those things though.  Or we want an easy solution.  If it can’t be fast, we aren’t interested.  

Think about healthy eating, for instance.  When we begin to switch to a better way of eating, we do not lose weight right away.  We hit plateaus.  We have times when we don’t lose any weight.  We may feel better, but we want to lose weight when we want at the rate we want.  If we don’t, it must not be working.  We forget that it took time to put on the weight and it takes time to come back off.  Or how about exercise?  I really love to run.  I have run for years.  But if I don’t train regularly, I can’t run the distance.  Running long distances takes many practice miles.  It takes effort to get out there when I don’t feel like it.  I have to endure the training all along the way if I want to achieve my ultimate goal.  Those times aren’t always fun.  It is slow progress.  Sometimes it feels gruelingly slow.  But it comes.  It is like that when we want to learn a new trade or we want to begin a new career.  It is a slow progression before we are up and running at full speed.  It is slow, methodical training.

When we think of our spiritual lives, there is slow progression here as well.  We aren’t automatically more like Christ.  We are not all of a sudden doing what we were created to do.  We do not reach our peak on the second day.  It takes time.  It takes consistent effort.  It takes listening to God and continually coming back again.  It takes a constant refocus to become more and more like a disciple.  It is slow but it is beautiful.  

What are we trying to rush along that will just take time?  Why are we trying to find shortcuts to things which are found with time and effort?  What can we do differently to have a daily, constant focus on being more like Christ?  What is it that we can do slowly to grow and learn?  Slow just might be the way.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 119:73-77

⁷³ Your hands have made and fashioned me;
    give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
⁷⁴ Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
    because I have hoped in your word.
⁷⁵ I know, O Lord, that your judgments are right,
    and that in faithfulness you have humbled me.
⁷⁶ Let your steadfast love become my comfort
    according to your promise to your servant.
⁷⁷ Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
    for your law is my delight.

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

Forgiveness is one of the most difficult things we are asked to do.  True forgiveness, releasing the thing that we have held, pushes us and our faith.  We learn forgiveness early on in our lives.  We are taught to say ‘I’m sorry’ and to move forward.  As we grow up, we learn that not forgiving becomes like a disease that eats slowly away at our peace and our joy.  So we learn what it means to forgive others and do the best we can with it.  

What I think is even more difficult is to learn to forgive ourselves.  We know our mistakes.  We know the things we have done – even if no one else does.  We know our intentions.  We know our own heart.  We know our past.  And it seems our past can haunt us at the worst times.  Our insecurities creep up and consume us when we aren’t even looking.  We can’t seem to escape our past so we don’t understand the importance of forgiving ourselves.  Yet, it is one of the most freeing and loving things we can do.

God reminds us that he forgives us.  He tells us that he does not hold our past against us.  We are forgiven by an Almighty God that knows all our bad stuff.  He knows our anger. He knows the things we hold inside.  He gets that we should have done things we didn’t.  He understands that we didn’t do something we should.  And yet, he loves us anyway.  He is the provider of mercy and grace.  He is the greatest One to forgive.  We can release those things which are hurting us.  We can begin to forgive ourselves of those things which are holding us back and causing us harm.  We can know that the past is just that – the past.  We have a bright future ahead.  We have more opportunities to love and be kind and do the right thing.  We have so much ahead – and it all begins with forgiveness – from God and for ourselves.  If God has forgiven us, why are we holding those things inside.  Today is the day to release – be set free – and move forward in God’s love, mercy and grace.  

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 103:8-12

⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
⁹ He will not always accuse,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
¹⁰ He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far he removes our transgressions from us.

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

To hear someone is to offer your time and attention.  To really listen takes effort.  It takes concentration and focus on what is being said.  It is often more about what is left unsaid that speaks the loudest.  We can hear fear in someone’s voice even when words of courage are spoken.  We can hear hurt come through even when all seems to be okay.  To hear someone is a gift we do not offer often enough.  Yet, it is one of the greatest gifts we could present to another person.  So many times, anger and hurt and fear come out in different ways because people feel unheard.  

Today, I challenge you to offer someone this gift.  It doesn’t cost you anything except your time and your attention.  I do understand time is precious.  But this will be worth it.  Offer someone the gift of hearing them.  Listen to what they tell you.  It may be a really general conversation, but give them your undivided attention.  That means putting down the phones.  It means turning off all the distractions.  It also means listening without thinking of how you will respond.  Sometimes we listen to just enough so we can tell our story.  We don’t let the other person finish before we want to tell them what happened to us.  We listen just to interject what we think they should do or how we feel about the situation.  This is not listening.  Today, simply listen.  No response is needed – and actually no response is preferred.  This is not about us.  We are not there to fix or solve or change anything.  We are simply there to offer the gift of hearing someone else.

You may find this challenging – but give it a chance.  It may feel uncomfortable because we don’t always want to hear what someone else is offering.  It can feel restrictive because we have so much to say.  But giving someone the gift of listening can be one of the most powerful things we can do today.  We all want to be heard.  Today may be the day to simply listen.

Focus Scripture:

Matthew 13:16

¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.

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

Our local coffee shop has a theme that really speaks volumes:  “Do Good Things”.  I love it.  It is simple yet so powerful.  Kristen, the owner, lives it out as well.  Her bright smile and kind personality bring life to the statement.  I think it goes without saying that great coffee helps me to do good things.  If I have enough coffee, maybe even great things happen.  The cookies and desserts don’t hurt either. 

Could doing good things be our theme?  What if this was a part of our lives?  What if we took ownership to do good things?  What would it look like if we made a commitment to do good today?  There might be more smiles.  There may be more kind words.  There may be more of an effort to encourage.  I think equally important is there may be less hatefulness.  There might be less rudeness or slander or gossip.  If we are going to do more good things, that would mean we do less bad things.  Doing good things leads to good experiences with good people.  Good people following a good God can do exceedingly abundantly more than we could think or imagine.  And it all begins with doing good things. 

You have the ability to do good today.  I’m going to make it my mission to do good things.  How about you?  Thank you, Gypsy Bean Coffee Shop for encouraging me to do good things.

Focus Scripture:

Hebrews 13:16

¹⁶ Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

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

Our days can be filled with joys and laughter, excitement and celebration.  They can also be filled with loss and difficulty, grief and tears.  Both are okay.  There are times for both.  There are moments that hold both.  There are also days of neither.  Those days of “hanging on” are part of life too.  We could be having just an okay day, one that is simply about making it through.  And that’s okay too.  There are gifts in each of these days.  We are not prisoners of despair.  We have been given a glimpse of promise.  

We can easily identify the gifts of a joyful day.  We physically feel the uplifting of laughter.  But there are times when tears cleanse.  There are days when grief is speaking to us in our darkness and reminding us of the light.  There are occasions when having a moment to just breathe is all we could ask or hope.  And those are gifts too.  

With all that goes on in our lives, it is difficult to be okay.  It can be challenging to find the time to simply be.  We can be pushed for the opportunity to enjoy what God has given us.  Some days, it is enough to simply be okay.  No fireworks or excitement needed.  No pep talks or dream catching required.  It is okay to simply be okay.  To live today, to take a deep breath, to feel God’s warmth and presence is more than enough.  To know that we are loved beyond measure is more than we can comprehend – but it means we can be okay.  To know that we are not alone in our battle is enough for today.  

If you struggle today, know that you are not alone.  You do not fight these battles alone.  God is with us.  He is holding us up even when we feel like collapsing.  He helps us to melt into his presence knowing that we are okay.  For today, okay is more than enough.  

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 42:1-3, 11

¹ As a deer longs for flowing streams,
    so my soul longs for you, O God.
² My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
    the face of God?
³ My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while people say to me continually,
    “Where is your God?”

¹¹ Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my help and my God.

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