Devotionals
Prepare the Way for Peace
“I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people.” – Psalm 85:8a (NLT)
Many of us are looking back on 2023 as we prepare for 2024. My word for 2023 has been “whole.” When I chose the word, it reflected my desire not to be fragmented or broken but to be complete, to live out the fullness of my calling and the things God purposed me for, trusting that God will provide and care for me.
Discerning Truth from Lies
“So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.” – 1 John 2:24-25 NLT
A few years back, I had my students do a scavenger hunt for Youth Night. They all went off exploring in teams. Eventually, one of the boys came to me and another youth leader, and told me about a group that told him he was special.
Still Wanted and Welcomed
“And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.” — Luke 15:23-24 (NLT)
Is it just me, or does anybody else talk to themselves? I do this all the time. I role-play what I think I would say if I had the opportunity. I talk through conversations with family members, friends, colleagues, and random strangers.
Usually, I’m talking under my breath in private, maybe in the mirror in the bathroom. I need this time to process my thoughts and my feelings because it helps me be prepared and attempt to be wise in how I communicate in my relationships.
We Rise and Fall Together
“He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt.” — Luke 18:9 (NRSV)
If you've heard me preach before, you'll likely know that I grew up with three brothers. And because my mom didn't always like us playing with the kids in our neighborhood, sometimes we had to be our own, complete community. We were the Wilsons.
My brothers are my day ones, my aces, and standing arm in arm with them is still my happy and safe space. I feel invincible when I stand with my brothers. It is pure, and never-ending love.
Bathsheba and David: A Hard Look at the Abuse of Power
“David sent someone to inquire about the woman. It was reported, ‘This is Bathsheba daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.’” – 2 Samuel 11:3 (NRSV)
What are women to do when they are not safe, even in their own homes? Bathsheba should have been safe. She should have been protected. In all the sermons I have heard about David and Bathsheba, I never understood the weight of the messenger reporting who she was when David asked of her. My only takeaway was that she was clearly married and, therefore, off-limits. Really, that should have been enough.
Follow Closely to Jesus
“Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles.” — Luke 24:10
All around the world, people pause today to remember Jesus as He hung on the cross. We call it Good Friday because though it was the worst day in the life of Jesus, it was a good day for humanity. It was the day that Jesus made the last sacrifice for our sins. The work of redemption was done. It was a good Friday.
Choosing Compassion
“When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. ‘Don’t cry!’ he said.” Luke 7:13 (NLT)
We typically know when it’s time to go to the hospital to see a doctor. The preventative maintenance stuff, like physicals, we schedule once a year at our doctor’s office, but we go to the hospital when we know something is wrong. Maybe we’ve broken a bone, we’re bleeding profusely, there is unbearable pain, or we’ve lost feeling somewhere. We’re aware that we have a problem, so we want to see a doctor to help us get better.
A Different Christmas
“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 (NLT)