DEVOTION:
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
THOUGHT:
Good Sunday morning. I took this picture just the other day while enjoying some time with Nancy along the beautiful coast of Maine. From where I was standing, I was first drawn to the water and the rocky shoreline. But when we made our way down closer to the water, I noticed something I couldn't really see from above. The beach was covered with thousands of stones, and nearly every one of them was smooth and rounded. They hadn't always been that way. Over the years, the changing tides had moved them, tossed them, turned them, and slowly shaped them. In fact standing there it was musical hearing the stones being turned and rolled.
I couldn't help but think about how much that resembles our lives. Paul tells us in Romans that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Like those stones, we are shaped by the changing tides of life. Some seasons are peaceful, while others toss us around more than we would like. Yet through all of them, God can be at work—smoothing some of our rough edges, strengthening our faith, and shaping us into the people He desires us to become.
Maybe today we need to remember that God isn't finished shaping us yet. We may not always understand the tides of life, but we can trust the One who remains with us through every one of them. A reality still happening today.
PRAYER:
Almighty and Holy God, on this Sunday morning we come before You thankful for another day and another opportunity to gather as Your people. Yesterday the rain fell upon our dry ground, and we were reminded again that Your creation depends upon gifts we cannot provide for ourselves. So much of life is like that, Lord. We plan our days, we fill our calendars, and we make our way from one responsibility to another, yet beneath it all we remain dependent upon You. Your Word reminds us that there is a season for everything—a time to laugh and a time to weep, a time to embrace and a time to let go, a time for beginnings and a time for endings. Sometimes those seasons are separated by years, and sometimes, remarkably, they seem to arrive within the same day.
Thank You for being the God who meets us in every one of them. You are there around a table where friends gather and laughter is shared. You are there in a quiet visit with someone we love. You are there beside the bed when this earthly journey comes to an end. And You are there when two people stand together and begin a new life as husband and wife. Through every hello and every goodbye, every celebration and every tear, You remain faithful.
This morning we bring before You those within our church family who are hurting, grieving, recovering, or carrying burdens known only to You. Give strength to the weary, healing to those who are sick, comfort to those who mourn, and peace to those who are facing uncertainty. Remind each one that whatever season they are walking through today, they do not walk through it alone. Lord, we pray for our church. Continue to shape us into a people who love generously, welcome freely, serve faithfully, and carry the presence of Christ beyond these walls. Help us notice the person who needs encouragement, the lonely person who needs companionship, and the hurting person who simply needs someone willing to walk beside them. May we forgive as You have forgiven us.
We pray for our nation, for our leaders, and for leaders throughout the world. In places where anger and division have become louder than compassion, bring wisdom and humility. We pray for nations at war, for innocent people caught in violence, for those who are hungry or displaced, and for those serving far from home. And Lord, even when it is difficult, teach us to pray for those we consider our enemies. Change hearts—including our own—and lead us toward the peace that only You can give.
And now, Lord, as another week begins, help us not to rush through the days ahead so quickly that we miss You. In ordinary conversations, unexpected interruptions, celebrations, disappointments, beginnings, and endings, open our eyes to recognize Your presence. Whatever this week may bring, help us remember one simple truth: You will be there. For You are the God of every season, and we place this day, this week, and our lives into Your loving hands. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.
DEVOTION:
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
THOUGHT:
Good Sunday morning. I took this picture just the other day while enjoying some time with Nancy along the beautiful coast of Maine. From where I was standing, I was first drawn to the water and the rocky shoreline. But when we made our way down closer to the water, I noticed something I couldn't really see from above. The beach was covered with thousands of stones, and nearly every one of them was smooth and rounded. They hadn't always been that way. Over the years, the changing tides had moved them, tossed them, turned them, and slowly shaped them. In fact standing there it was musical hearing the stones being turned and rolled.
I couldn't help but think about how much that resembles our lives. Paul tells us in Romans that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Like those stones, we are shaped by the changing tides of life. Some seasons are peaceful, while others toss us around more than we would like. Yet through all of them, God can be at work—smoothing some of our rough edges, strengthening our faith, and shaping us into the people He desires us to become.
Maybe today we need to remember that God isn't finished shaping us yet. We may not always understand the tides of life, but we can trust the One who remains with us through every one of them. A reality still happening today.
Almighty and Holy God, on this Sunday morning we come before You thankful for another day and another opportunity to gather as Your people. Yesterday the rain fell upon our dry ground, and we were reminded again that Your creation depends upon gifts we cannot provide for ourselves. So much of life is like that, Lord. We plan our days, we fill our calendars, and we make our way from one responsibility to another, yet beneath it all we remain dependent upon You. Your Word reminds us that there is a season for everything—a time to laugh and a time to weep, a time to embrace and a time to let go, a time for beginnings and a time for endings. Sometimes those seasons are separated by years, and sometimes, remarkably, they seem to arrive within the same day.
Thank You for being the God who meets us in every one of them. You are there around a table where friends gather and laughter is shared. You are there in a quiet visit with someone we love. You are there beside the bed when this earthly journey comes to an end. And You are there when two people stand together and begin a new life as husband and wife. Through every hello and every goodbye, every celebration and every tear, You remain faithful.
This morning we bring before You those within our church family who are hurting, grieving, recovering, or carrying burdens known only to You. Give strength to the weary, healing to those who are sick, comfort to those who mourn, and peace to those who are facing uncertainty. Remind each one that whatever season they are walking through today, they do not walk through it alone. Lord, we pray for our church. Continue to shape us into a people who love generously, welcome freely, serve faithfully, and carry the presence of Christ beyond these walls. Help us notice the person who needs encouragement, the lonely person who needs companionship, and the hurting person who simply needs someone willing to walk beside them. May we forgive as You have forgiven us.
We pray for our nation, for our leaders, and for leaders throughout the world. In places where anger and division have become louder than compassion, bring wisdom and humility. We pray for nations at war, for innocent people caught in violence, for those who are hungry or displaced, and for those serving far from home. And Lord, even when it is difficult, teach us to pray for those we consider our enemies. Change hearts—including our own—and lead us toward the peace that only You can give.
And now, Lord, as another week begins, help us not to rush through the days ahead so quickly that we miss You. In ordinary conversations, unexpected interruptions, celebrations, disappointments, beginnings, and endings, open our eyes to recognize Your presence. Whatever this week may bring, help us remember one simple truth: You will be there. For You are the God of every season, and we place this day, this week, and our lives into Your loving hands. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.