Category: Devotion

This morning’s view was spectacular.  I wasn’t at a popular vacation destination.  I didn’t wake up in a new town or new venue.  I didn’t hear the sounds of waves crashing.  It was a quiet, rural road I have traveled many times.  It was an ordinary morning.  But for a moment, the view was remarkable.  It was a painted sky that was pulled together by traveling clouds on a windy morning topped by a slowly rising sun.  This time I was paying attention and I caught it.  I am sure I have missed similar on many occasions.  But today, I caught it and it was beautiful.

I find that when I see views painted in the sky, my best option is to stop.  When I stop, I can take it all in.  I can allow the Artist to speak to me from his work.  I don’t need to do anything else, just stop.  Since photography is not my gift, it is never helpful for me to try and capture the painting in a snapshot.  It ends up looking like trees, skies and clouds.  And later I wonder why I took such a picture.  Instead of pulling out my phone to take the picture, I am better able to absorb the message when I stop.  It is unique and it was meant for that time and that place.  I can see the magnificence when I accept that it is only for right this moment.  It is better than trying to hold on to something that will soon pass.

Life is like that.  We are given what seems like small fleeting moments that are really changing and shaping our lives.  We see milestones and we want to capture them.  We want them to last forever.  But they are given to us for just a moment – and wow is that moment life changing.  We want to hold on to people, times, events, experiences…we want them to last longer.  God has given them to us for right this moment, though.  So instead of wishing they would last forever, why not just stop…and allow the magnificence of this moment to wash over you?  Why not just enjoy this moment as if it may never come again?  We just might find ourselves extremely thankful for this day…moment by moment.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 46:9-11

⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.

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

For someone that writes a blog and speaks publicly, it is difficult to say that there are times when there are no words.  Words are used to describe beauty and strength, nature and awe inspiring views.  We use words to relay feelings of hurt and anger, along with excitement and joy.  Words can destroy another or can lift others.  But sometimes, words are simply not sufficient. There are times when there really are no words.

Words often fail us when we are overjoyed.  The birth of a child is one of those moments.  We may use words, but there really are none to express the birth of another living being.  Words also fail us when we are grieving.  There are none adequate for the feelings we have when we lose someone we love deeply.

The problem is not that there are no words for these times of our lives.  The problem is more often that we try to use them when we should not.  When we are supporting someone in their grief, it is often better to say nothing at all.  Simple expressions to let them know you are with them can be sufficient.  Presence means more than anything spoken.  Prayers that are offered are powerful.  But these do not require words.  Even our prayers can be offered in silent moments as we commune with God.  Sometimes there are no words.

The events of these past few months and especially this past week leave me speechless.  I try to write and do my best to express my support and solidarity to those that are suffering.  I do my best to let others know that they are not alone.  I know that there are many that are struggling with sickness, grief, hurt, anger and pain.  I hear you.  Ultimately, I have no words that are adequate.  I simply offer love.

Focus Scripture:

Philippians 1 (selected scriptures)

³ I thank my God every time I remember you, ⁴ constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, ⁵ because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.

⁹ And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight ¹⁰ to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, ¹¹ having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

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

Hope can appear as a peek in the clouds on an otherwise dreary day.  It doesn’t need to be spectacular.  Just one open spot can shine promise of better times.  It may be all that is needed to survive the day that is otherwise weightier than a hundred rainy clouds.  It just might be the needed reminder that God has not left us to fight these fears alone.  This moment can sing a song with perfect harmony when all our chords are mired in tears.

This glimmer of hope comes in the form of an ‘I love you’ note.  It is seen in a phone call to check on someone.  It is felt in dropping off money to someone struggling to pay the bills.  It is encouragement when no encouragement could be found elsewhere.  Hope is a reminder that you are God’s child, his beloved.  It is a smile, acknowledging someone’s presence that is often forgotten or ignored.  It really can be the smallest light that brings the brightest hope.

You may be the vehicle for bringing hope to someone else today.  There may be a person on your mind today that needs to be reminded that there is still hope.  Take the time to help others see what God sees.  Encourage rather than tear down.  Love rather than judge.

If you are struggling today, hear that you are not alone.  God has not left you in this fight.  There is a light shining in the distance, don’t give up looking for it.  May you feel the warmth of his presence, become wrapped in his love, and realize that you are a valued gift.  May hope appear to you today.

Focus Scripture:

Romans 15:13

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in 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 with unbelief.  Even the most faithful, lifelong Christians will confess to moments where they have struggled with belief.  It isn’t always easy to believe.  We may read that God is good and faithful and just.  And then we look around and wonder why our experience does not often match the goodness of God’s creation.  We may hear that God loves us but not feel all that loved.  We may see that God is at work in other people and feel as though he is not at work in us.  To struggle with unbelief is okay.  It means that we are not taking what someone else has told us and making it our own.  We are seeking God ourselves.  We are searching and aching for something more.

In the Bible, there is a story which resonates with me.  A father is struggling with an illness that has debilitated his son since birth.  I can only imagine this father has spent days, weeks, months, years watching his son battle.  It must have been devastating each time he had an episode, never knowing if this is will be what ends his life.  I hear in his words desperation and fear.  He just wants to see his son healed.  To see his son in such torment is more than he can take.  He begs for help from the disciples.  They try.  They really do give it their every effort.  They do all they know to do.  It doesn’t work.  The wind had to be knocked out of the father, hearing one more time it was impossible.  He could not be healed.  The father meets Jesus and simply begs for mercy.  He is fine with pity.  He just wants help.  He just wants hope.  Jesus tells him belief is the key.  What comes next shouts from a place of genuine despair with a glimmer of hope.

“I believe…help my unbelief” – I believe this can be better but I have tried everything and I’m so broken.  I believe there can be a better day but I haven’t seen a better day in so long I don’t know if it is still possible.  I believe this is my son and I love him but I’ve loved him since birth and this hasn’t changed anything.  I want to see a new day, a new life, a new opportunity…help me as I wrestle with this unbelief that has overwhelmed me for so many years.

Help me with my unbelief.  This is my prayer.  When we see tragedies happen…when we see loved ones struggle…when we find ourselves without words and searching for an ounce of hope…help me with my unbelief.  When we don’t know where God is through it all…help me with my unbelief.  When we just need a word to remind us we are not alone in this…help me with my unbelief.  When we simply do not see that anything will ever get better…I believe, help me with my unbelief.  Help me…Help.

May God answer our prayer…with hope, love, and healing.

Focus Scripture:

Mark 9:21-24

²¹ Jesus asked the father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. ²² It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.” ²³ Jesus said to him, “If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes.” ²⁴ Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

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

Do you ever feel like you just don’t belong?  Ever find yourself lost in the crowd with the idea that you should not be there?  Most of us can relate to feeling quite ordinary, even unworthy.  We can feel unworthy of God’s love.  We can feel unworthy in the church or around church people.  We can feel as though we have no place even despite the search.  We can even feel that way when we read the Bible.  When we read about the faith of Moses (although not as great as we want to make it – just read it)…or we hear about the heart of David (also not as strong when we read his whole story)…or we consider the patience of Job (he didn’t endure without great struggle and never fully got answers to his questions) – we think we are unworthy.  We can’t be like any of them.  I would say we are more like them than we want to believe.  But, even if they seem out of reach, I find myself at the table with Jesus.

Jesus spent time with ordinary folks, people like me.  He spent time with the people who knew they were not perfect and struggled to get it right, a lot.  He ate with people who needed more than a meal.  He loved people who didn’t realize God would ever see them, much less love them.  He invited people in who thought the invitation was only for the righteous (or self-righteous as many who thought they were invited were).

In the focus scripture today, I find myself.  I realize that Jesus does have a place for me at the table.  Despite what the world thinks of me, I have a place.  Regardless of my past or how many times I have struggled, the chair is there for me.  And it is there for you too!  Here it is: ^“And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples.”

Do you see?  The sinners that were invited – those were sinners from everyone else’s perspective.  Jesus saw more.  He sat down to dinner with many people that would have been considered invaluable.  He saw value where the world did not.  He welcomed ordinary people.  He welcomes me.  And he welcomes you as well!  Come, sit down at the table – ordinary people invited.

Focus Scripture:

Matthew 9:9-13

⁹ As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.

¹⁰ And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. ¹¹ When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹² But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³ Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

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

When we consider loving others, our minds can easily be drawn to loving those around us.  We may find our focus on loving those we come in contact with on a regular basis.  They are the people in our circle, so to speak.  And some of those people, even though they are around us, can be really challenging to love.  It could take all you have to simply tolerate them, much less love them.  And we hear Jesus teaching us to love one another.  So we think he is probably pushing us to consider loving this person that really grates on our last nerve.  But what if that is only scratching the surface of the type of love he is describing?  What if that is just the beginning and we have considered that the ultimate?  What if we are missing what it really means to love our neighbor because we get hung up on the people that we struggle to spend five minutes with.

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the one of the woman at the well.  She is struggling.  She is seeking, even if she doesn’t realize it.  She is searching to be seen and loved.  She meets Jesus.  Jesus isn’t like her.  He isn’t from her group, her tribe.  He is a man.  He is a religious teacher.  He is everything that she is not.  And so there is no good reason for Jesus to see her, much less talk to her.  But Jesus goes beyond both – he sees her, he talks to her, he loves her.  He sees her value and her worth. He offers her all she is seeking and more.   He offers her life.

The key for me is this woman is not at all in Jesus’ circle.  She is from a different region.  She is among the despised.  She is a woman with a questionable reputation.  She would be anything but his neighbor.  We might think that Jesus should worry about loving the 12 knuckleheads he called to follow him, and that would be challenging enough.  But Jesus sees this woman and loves her.  Oh, he loves the 12, but doesn’t stop there.  So why should we?

It just might be that Jesus is calling us beyond our circle.  To love others may be a call to love those not like us.  It might be that loving others is a call to love those that don’t look, behave or believe like us.  These might be just the people we are called to love.  Who is outside your circle that you can begin to love?

Focus Scripture:

John 4:5-9

⁵ So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. ⁶ Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.⁷ A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” ⁸ (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) ⁹ The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.)

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

What comes to mind when you think about being kind?  Do you think of giving something to someone else?  Does it bring to mind someone you know that exudes kindness?  Do you consider ways that you can scroll past the things on social media that make you angry?  Does kindness mean not getting angry?  Does kindness mean always smiling?  Is being kind even a thing?

It seems to be a phrase that is written and spoken quite a bit lately.  I have a sticker on my computer that Kelli created that is a reminder to be kind.  I try to post kind things on social media, hoping to counter some of the negative.  I think that kindness is more than words or feelings.  I think that to be kind, we find ways to intentionally live without letting anger or hatred fuel our being.  I think that to be kind means we seek out ways to give even when it doesn’t make sense.  I think to be kind is to forgive when it is counterintuitive.  I think to be kind is to not post our anger because it is not helpful or advantageous.

Being kind is, at least for me, a way of life.  It is intentional.  It is thought out and seeks to love others.  Being kind is looking for ways to point to the good in the world (and yes, there is always good).  In other words, being kind starts with some work on me.  I have to begin to find what is holding me back.  What is it that is eating away at me that doesn’t allow me to be kind?  What barriers do I need to take care of in order to spread kindness?

In today’s focus scripture, the author is teaching that kindness comes after unloading some things.  We let go of those things that are poisoning us.  We release the things which are toxic in our lives.  Let go of anger, bitterness, gossip, and hatred.  Those poisons are killing us.  Instead, allow kindness and forgiveness to take hold.  If we do this, we may begin to heal.  And that just might be the key in helping someone else.  Be kind.

Focus Scripture:

Ephesians 4:31-32

³¹ Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, ³² and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

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

Do good in secret.  Don’t let anyone know what you are doing.  Keep it to yourself.  Not even the recipient needs to know what you are doing.  Just go about doing good.  The point is not the recognition, it is the love that is shared – secretly.  Just do good.

These are the lessons I receive as I read Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 6.  These sound so easy.  Just do good.  But for some many, these are really challenging words.  It isn’t the fact of doing good.  Most of us want to help others.  We want to do what we can to lift someone else up.  The issue isn’t the giving so much as it is the secret part.  We are not accustomed to this.  We are taught to put tags on gifts with the ‘from’ and ‘to’ sections filled out.  We are brought up to put our names on things that we donate.  It is important for us to have recognition for the good things that we do.  It helps us to feel better about what we have done.  If nobody knows what we have done, why do we do it?  Some even give so that they can receive recognition.  So the thought of doing this in secret is mind blowing.

Yet, Jesus calls us to live differently.  He calls us to do things without any fanfare.  He asks us to give because we have been given so much.  He asks us to love our neighbor because it is an outpouring of love from God.  We are called to release the treasures of this earth for treasures that mean so much more.  Jesus calls us to give and the reward will be from him.  Nothing else needed.  No one has to know.  You give from the heart as he taught and only he has to know.

Things might look a little different if we begin to live this out.  We might even find that there is so much more joy in giving secretly than we would have ever realized.  It just might be that giving secretly brings us closer to Jesus.  And, who knows, it might loosen our grip on this world’s treasures.

Today, find a way to give in secret.  It doesn’t have to be big or extravagant.  It only has to be from your heart.  Give in such a way that only God knows it was you that gave.  It just might change the life of someone else (and you).

Focus Scripture:

Matthew 6:1-4

6 “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

² “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. ³ But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

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

I am not sure what it is about the beach that draws me in.  It could be the seemingly endless rolling waters that remind me of God’s great majesty.  It could be the peaceful sound of the waves that could put me to sleep in just a few moments.  The feel of the sand between my toes and laid back in a chair without a care in the world is always appealing.  Whatever it may be, there is definitely a pull for me towards the beach.

Have you taken the time at the beach to build a sand castle lately?  It only takes a bucket and all of a sudden, you are a kid again.  You begin to dig ravines.  You may even compose a mote around the castle.  It can quickly become a family activity as everyone comes to put their own special touch on the production.  You can lose track of time when you are building a sand castle.  We get everything perfect.  We can be so pleased with our work – it may even be our best work yet.  But if we pause for a moment, we know what will happen.  Eventually the tide will roll in.  Eventually the waters will rise and will wash right over our creation.  So why do it at all?

Building a sand castle is one of the momentary joys in life.  It isn’t meant to be permanent.  We don’t create to make a structure that will stand for all time.  That isn’t the point.  We are simply making something fun in the moment and allowing our creativity to take flight.  We are spending a little time in our day to just be in the moment.  We don’t do that enough in life.  We don’t spend our time on the frivolous, the simple pleasures.  But sand castles teach us to differently.  They teach us to spend time to build something just for the sake of building.  No long term investment needed.

At the end of the day, the waters will rise.  I wonder, though.  Does the water destroy our creation?  Or does the water provide us a clean slate to build something else beautiful, if just for a moment?  I think we are given a smooth, clean slate that invites us to be a kid again.  We are given the opportunity to just have fun.  Nothing permanent, no investment needed.  Just enjoy the moment.

Today, enjoy.  Simply find joys that can transport you to childhood.  Build your sand castle.

Focus Scripture:

Matthew 6:34

³⁴ “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

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

That is so beautiful!  I cannot believe how beautiful this has become!  Look at how beautiful that is!  All of these expressions conjure up different images for us.  What one person sees as beautiful, another may not feel the same.  There is a saying ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’.  So what is beauty and how do we recognize it?

Let’s begin by looking in the mirror.  I know, that may not be the first place many of us would look or consider finding beauty.  But, did you know that you are beautiful?  Really, you are absolutely beautiful.  Some may agree with that.  Some will not.  The majority will want to change something about themselves first.  But I am confident in my assessment that you are beautiful just the way you are.  Do you know how I can be so confident?  Because I know you are made by an amazing Creator that calls you his beloved.  I know that you are not a mistake.  I know that you are loved and adored beyond your wildest imagination.  I know because you are a creation of goodness.

Yes, we have many flaws.  We have many things we would change if we could.  There could be a list of things we would do differently if we were the creator.  We probably wouldn’t make donuts have calories so we wouldn’t have a gut.  We might would make sitting on our couch a vital exercise to keep six pack abs.  It could be we would want wrinkles to disappear when we laugh.  It might become limitless on how we would change things.  But those things – those extra pounds hiding our six pack – those wrinkles that replace our smooth skin – these are all things which are on the surface.  God sees so much more.  He sees our heart, our love, our intentions.  He sees our kindness and our joy.  He sees us as we really are.  He isn’t worried about the things we spend so much time concerned about.  He loves us because we are his.  He loves us because we are, indeed, beautiful.

So pick your head up.  Carry yourself with determination.  Smile – you are one of God’s beloved and he thinks you are beautiful!

Focus Scripture:

Colossians 3:12

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