Weekday Devotionals
HOPE (Message from Sunday 12/10)
Verse
Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness, I am not overcome by fear. Because
You are with me in those dark moments, near with Your protection and guidance, I am
comforted. (Psalm 23:4) (The Voice)
THOUGHTS
Pastor Pete termed our current One Year Bible readings as “End Time Literature”. He
stated that it is designed to inspire Hope! I appreciated how he said that Hope has an action
associated with it. In my head I heard action; such as: faith, trusting, forgiving, patience,
loving, and maturing spiritually.
In my early walk with Christ, I read the book of Revelation for the first time. Like many
new believers, I did not understand a lot of it. I found some of the imagery disturbing. In the
last chapters, when the New Jerusalem comes down and God dwells with his people, I had
some doubts about the certainty of my salvation. As I have continued reading my Bible; I
now know that because of God’s love, my salvation is certain. I still do not understand all of
Revelation, but I know that it will happen as God ordains, and that in the end, we who have
trusted (have Hope) in God’s promise will be with Him for eternity.
Let’s address the salvation concern. You are either saved or you are not. You have either
asked Jesus into your life, for forgiveness of your sins, and for God to lead you down his path;
or you haven’t. As a follower of Christ, the enemy will try to attack you with doubt about
your salvation, but as someone who has struggled through this, trust (have hope in) God’s
word, His promise.
I know that it is difficult sometimes, but remember, God loves you. These are the words to
an old hymn, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong,
they are weak, but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me – Yes, Jesus loves me – Yes, Jesus loves
me. The Bible tells me so! I learned this song as a child. I think we forget that as we get
older, we still need to come to Jesus with a childlike faith. I think of a childlike faith, as
trusting in God’s love, His leading, or His purpose even when I do not understand.
When it comes to my lack of understanding of end time writings, I reflect on who God is,
what he has done, and what he promises to do. As I listened to the Sunday’s message again,
I began to think about Psalm 23 GOD, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of GOD for the rest of my life. (The Message)
Take time to ponder each of these verses and how they apply to your life. Each one is a
promise and a statement of who He is. End time literature, are we living it? I do not know,
but Psalm 23 gives me Hope whether we are or are not.
CHALLENGE
Are you a glass half full or half empty person? Until recently, I viewed this as what’s the
difference? You have a half a glass either way. God recently spoke to me. He helped me to
realize that there is a point of focus. He pointed out that I am a glass half empty person. As a
glass half empty person, I was focusing on what I had already consumed/lost, and that I was
trying to protect what was remaining in the glass.
I am now trying to change my focus to a glass half full way of thinking. What is in my glass
is what God has given to me to enjoy. He will meet my needs, as stated in Psalm 23.
If you struggle with the doom and gloom of end time literature, remember that within the
writings is God’s promise for us, a hope. So be a glass half full person, take an action of hope
- trust God to provide, protect, and direct.
Steve Grigg
Verse
Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness, I am not overcome by fear. Because
You are with me in those dark moments, near with Your protection and guidance, I am
comforted. (Psalm 23:4) (The Voice)
THOUGHTS
Pastor Pete termed our current One Year Bible readings as “End Time Literature”. He
stated that it is designed to inspire Hope! I appreciated how he said that Hope has an action
associated with it. In my head I heard action; such as: faith, trusting, forgiving, patience,
loving, and maturing spiritually.
In my early walk with Christ, I read the book of Revelation for the first time. Like many
new believers, I did not understand a lot of it. I found some of the imagery disturbing. In the
last chapters, when the New Jerusalem comes down and God dwells with his people, I had
some doubts about the certainty of my salvation. As I have continued reading my Bible; I
now know that because of God’s love, my salvation is certain. I still do not understand all of
Revelation, but I know that it will happen as God ordains, and that in the end, we who have
trusted (have Hope) in God’s promise will be with Him for eternity.
Let’s address the salvation concern. You are either saved or you are not. You have either
asked Jesus into your life, for forgiveness of your sins, and for God to lead you down his path;
or you haven’t. As a follower of Christ, the enemy will try to attack you with doubt about
your salvation, but as someone who has struggled through this, trust (have hope in) God’s
word, His promise.
I know that it is difficult sometimes, but remember, God loves you. These are the words to
an old hymn, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong,
they are weak, but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me – Yes, Jesus loves me – Yes, Jesus loves
me. The Bible tells me so! I learned this song as a child. I think we forget that as we get
older, we still need to come to Jesus with a childlike faith. I think of a childlike faith, as
trusting in God’s love, His leading, or His purpose even when I do not understand.
When it comes to my lack of understanding of end time writings, I reflect on who God is,
what he has done, and what he promises to do. As I listened to the Sunday’s message again,
I began to think about Psalm 23 GOD, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of GOD for the rest of my life. (The Message)
Take time to ponder each of these verses and how they apply to your life. Each one is a
promise and a statement of who He is. End time literature, are we living it? I do not know,
but Psalm 23 gives me Hope whether we are or are not.
CHALLENGE
Are you a glass half full or half empty person? Until recently, I viewed this as what’s the
difference? You have a half a glass either way. God recently spoke to me. He helped me to
realize that there is a point of focus. He pointed out that I am a glass half empty person. As a
glass half empty person, I was focusing on what I had already consumed/lost, and that I was
trying to protect what was remaining in the glass.
I am now trying to change my focus to a glass half full way of thinking. What is in my glass
is what God has given to me to enjoy. He will meet my needs, as stated in Psalm 23.
If you struggle with the doom and gloom of end time literature, remember that within the
writings is God’s promise for us, a hope. So be a glass half full person, take an action of hope
- trust God to provide, protect, and direct.
Steve Grigg
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