Weekly Devotional - Steve Grigg
SABBATH SUNDAY
VERSE:
“And Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)
THOUGHTS:
In July of 2024 I wrote the devotional for Pastor Pete’s Sabbath Sunday message. After rereading what I wrote, I realized how little of my plan I had implemented for observing the Sabbath. Now two years later, I am a walking poster child for what Pastor Pete said happens when you neglect taking a 24-hour period of rest to appreciate, honor, and give thanks.
When I started attending Thrive, I was still active in law enforcement so became a part of the safety team. My mental training was that you are never actually off duty. I struggled with my serve feeling like a continuation of work. Pastor Pete tried to explain that serving on Sunday is not “working”, it is our service to others and God. Unfortunately, I did not fully see it like that. (I apologize Pastor Pete! You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.) Fortunately, with this Sunday’s message it finally clicked. Serving on Sunday is not work, but an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to appreciate, to honor, and to give thanks for God and others in my life.
Pastor Pete gave us three needs that the Sabbath meets: appreciation, honor, and thanksgiving. When I heard the word appreciation, my first thought was, I do like to feel appreciated. The pastor’s next sentence made me realize how selfish my thoughts were. I had to remember that Christ did not come to be served, but to serve others.
Because I wore a uniform for 35 years; the word honor has a very deep and personal meaning for me. In regards to the Sabbath, the question I might ask myself is; are my thoughts, words, and actions honoring God and those around me. In Psalm 19:14 we read, “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
I have only one thought to add to Thanksgiving. As an elder and a brother in Christ, I am grateful for the part each of you play in my walk with God.
CONCLUSION:
It has taken me two years to get to this point of understanding the Sabbath. I am grateful that Pastor Pete has encouraged us to find our own personal way to honor the Sabbath. I have begun to form how I can practice the Sabbath. I trust that God will help refine my Sabbath day.
Here is a simple prayer that might help you on your Sabbath journey.
“Heavenly Father, help me to understand that the Sabbath is a gift to me. Lead me by your spirit to take this time to appreciate you and those around me. Teach me how to honor you, my family, and others. Help me to express thanksgiving with a grateful heart, so that you and my community around me know how important they are to me.”
Shalom Shalom!
Steve Grigg
VERSE:
“And Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)
THOUGHTS:
In July of 2024 I wrote the devotional for Pastor Pete’s Sabbath Sunday message. After rereading what I wrote, I realized how little of my plan I had implemented for observing the Sabbath. Now two years later, I am a walking poster child for what Pastor Pete said happens when you neglect taking a 24-hour period of rest to appreciate, honor, and give thanks.
When I started attending Thrive, I was still active in law enforcement so became a part of the safety team. My mental training was that you are never actually off duty. I struggled with my serve feeling like a continuation of work. Pastor Pete tried to explain that serving on Sunday is not “working”, it is our service to others and God. Unfortunately, I did not fully see it like that. (I apologize Pastor Pete! You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.) Fortunately, with this Sunday’s message it finally clicked. Serving on Sunday is not work, but an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to appreciate, to honor, and to give thanks for God and others in my life.
Pastor Pete gave us three needs that the Sabbath meets: appreciation, honor, and thanksgiving. When I heard the word appreciation, my first thought was, I do like to feel appreciated. The pastor’s next sentence made me realize how selfish my thoughts were. I had to remember that Christ did not come to be served, but to serve others.
Because I wore a uniform for 35 years; the word honor has a very deep and personal meaning for me. In regards to the Sabbath, the question I might ask myself is; are my thoughts, words, and actions honoring God and those around me. In Psalm 19:14 we read, “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
I have only one thought to add to Thanksgiving. As an elder and a brother in Christ, I am grateful for the part each of you play in my walk with God.
CONCLUSION:
It has taken me two years to get to this point of understanding the Sabbath. I am grateful that Pastor Pete has encouraged us to find our own personal way to honor the Sabbath. I have begun to form how I can practice the Sabbath. I trust that God will help refine my Sabbath day.
Here is a simple prayer that might help you on your Sabbath journey.
“Heavenly Father, help me to understand that the Sabbath is a gift to me. Lead me by your spirit to take this time to appreciate you and those around me. Teach me how to honor you, my family, and others. Help me to express thanksgiving with a grateful heart, so that you and my community around me know how important they are to me.”
Shalom Shalom!
Steve Grigg
Recent
Archive
2026
January
February
March
April
May
2025
January
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
2024
March
June
Categories
no categories