DEVOTION:
Psalm 36:6
"Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals."
THOUGHTS:
Yesterday, I was chatting with a lady who mentioned the beauty and power all around us that so many do not see. An example of this beauty, message, and power is the photo above. This was taken from my balcony during my vacation. As I stood at the edge, looking at the beach and watching the waves roll in. One after another, they came, some crashing, some gentle, but always returning to the same shore. I stood still, listening. And in that moment, I felt God speaking. The waves reminded me that life can feel loud and constant, like the ocean. Things come at us—some things we expect, some we don’t. But just like the waves know where to stop, I remembered that God is in control. He sets the boundaries. He’s not surprised by any of it.
There was a calmness to it all. Even though the sky looked like it might rain and the sea looked strong, there was peace in knowing God made it all. He holds the sea, the sky, and me. a reality set in that God’s justice is deep, deeper than the ocean. His love is steady, stronger than the waves. His care for us never stops. Just like the ocean never stops moving, God never stops watching over us and moving within and around us. : Like the mighty ocean, the Holy Spirit is fully alive and ready to stir our hearts into motion, calling us to trust more deeply, to love more freely, and to walk more boldly in the ways of Christ. Just as the waves shape the shoreline, the Spirit shapes our lives, smoothing rough edges, carving new paths, and drawing us ever closer to the heart of God.
So, as I stood there hearing the crash of the waves, I was reminded: I am not adrift. I am carried. I am guided. I am renewed. The same God who commands the seas commands my soul if I simply submit, and He is leading me home. Standing there in that moment, I thought, oh, how I would love my church family to be here with me, realizing that in the middle of crashing waves of life, God is calling You to trust Him, right there in the middle of it. Yet, God's gentle reminders, beauty, messages, and power are everywhere. Take notice of them and watch your stress levels lower.
PRAYER:
Almighty and Holy God, In this early morning, as we wake and will gather in Your presence, our hearts are drawn to You like the tide to the shore. We come with gratitude for Your steady love that never changes, even as the world around us shifts and shakes. You are our Rock, our Refuge, and our Peace. We lift before You the people of East Orrington Congregational Church. Lord, You know every name, every story, every struggle, and every joy. We pray for those who are hurting, that Your healing hand would bring them comfort. We pray for those who are weary, that You would renew their strength. We pray for those who are rejoicing, that their joy would be contagious and remind us all of Your goodness. Knit us together as a family of faith, bound by love and rooted in Christ, so that in everything we do, Your light would shine through us into our community.
Lord, we also pray for our country. We know these are days of division, uncertainty, and need. We bring before You our President, our governors, and all who hold positions of leadership and authority. Grant them wisdom beyond their own understanding. May they lead with kindness and courage, seeking justice and peace. We pray that their decisions would be shaped by compassion, and that they would serve not for power or recognition, but for the good of the people entrusted to their care. Father, we pray for unity where there is division, for peace where there is anger, and for hope where despair has settled in. Raise up leaders who reflect Your heart — who value mercy, who pursue righteousness, and who humbly acknowledge their need for Your guidance.
And Lord, may we, Your people, not simply wait for others to act, but live as examples of Your Kingdom here and now. Teach us to love our neighbors well, to forgive quickly, to serve humbly, and to shine with the light of Christ in our words and actions. We remember those who serve on the frontlines of our communities, our military, our police officers, firefighters, first responders, and medical workers. Bless them with strength, protect them with Your hand, and give their families peace in the waiting. We especially pray for those on the frontline of educating our children and young adults. We lift them up in this time of chaos at the federal level, and pray that unity and cohesion can take place through their love for what they do. Lord, may we keep our children safe and give them what they need daily as You give us what we need.
Finally, Lord, we pray for Your Spirit to move among us later today as we come together in Your Son’s holy name. . May the gathering not just be a service we attend, but a holy encounter with You, the Living God ,who calls us, forgives us, equips us, and sends us out to be Your people in the world. We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
DEVOTION:
Psalm 36:6
"Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals."
THOUGHTS:
Yesterday, I was chatting with a lady who mentioned the beauty and power all around us that so many do not see. An example of this beauty, message, and power is the photo above. This was taken from my balcony during my vacation. As I stood at the edge, looking at the beach and watching the waves roll in. One after another, they came, some crashing, some gentle, but always returning to the same shore. I stood still, listening. And in that moment, I felt God speaking. The waves reminded me that life can feel loud and constant, like the ocean. Things come at us—some things we expect, some we don’t. But just like the waves know where to stop, I remembered that God is in control. He sets the boundaries. He’s not surprised by any of it.
There was a calmness to it all. Even though the sky looked like it might rain and the sea looked strong, there was peace in knowing God made it all. He holds the sea, the sky, and me. a reality set in that God’s justice is deep, deeper than the ocean. His love is steady, stronger than the waves. His care for us never stops. Just like the ocean never stops moving, God never stops watching over us and moving within and around us. : Like the mighty ocean, the Holy Spirit is fully alive and ready to stir our hearts into motion, calling us to trust more deeply, to love more freely, and to walk more boldly in the ways of Christ. Just as the waves shape the shoreline, the Spirit shapes our lives, smoothing rough edges, carving new paths, and drawing us ever closer to the heart of God.
So, as I stood there hearing the crash of the waves, I was reminded: I am not adrift. I am carried. I am guided. I am renewed. The same God who commands the seas commands my soul if I simply submit, and He is leading me home. Standing there in that moment, I thought, oh, how I would love my church family to be here with me, realizing that in the middle of crashing waves of life, God is calling You to trust Him, right there in the middle of it. Yet, God's gentle reminders, beauty, messages, and power are everywhere. Take notice of them and watch your stress levels lower.
PRAYER:
Almighty and Holy God, In this early morning, as we wake and will gather in Your presence, our hearts are drawn to You like the tide to the shore. We come with gratitude for Your steady love that never changes, even as the world around us shifts and shakes. You are our Rock, our Refuge, and our Peace. We lift before You the people of East Orrington Congregational Church. Lord, You know every name, every story, every struggle, and every joy. We pray for those who are hurting, that Your healing hand would bring them comfort. We pray for those who are weary, that You would renew their strength. We pray for those who are rejoicing, that their joy would be contagious and remind us all of Your goodness. Knit us together as a family of faith, bound by love and rooted in Christ, so that in everything we do, Your light would shine through us into our community.
Lord, we also pray for our country. We know these are days of division, uncertainty, and need. We bring before You our President, our governors, and all who hold positions of leadership and authority. Grant them wisdom beyond their own understanding. May they lead with kindness and courage, seeking justice and peace. We pray that their decisions would be shaped by compassion, and that they would serve not for power or recognition, but for the good of the people entrusted to their care. Father, we pray for unity where there is division, for peace where there is anger, and for hope where despair has settled in. Raise up leaders who reflect Your heart — who value mercy, who pursue righteousness, and who humbly acknowledge their need for Your guidance.
And Lord, may we, Your people, not simply wait for others to act, but live as examples of Your Kingdom here and now. Teach us to love our neighbors well, to forgive quickly, to serve humbly, and to shine with the light of Christ in our words and actions. We remember those who serve on the frontlines of our communities, our military, our police officers, firefighters, first responders, and medical workers. Bless them with strength, protect them with Your hand, and give their families peace in the waiting. We especially pray for those on the frontline of educating our children and young adults. We lift them up in this time of chaos at the federal level, and pray that unity and cohesion can take place through their love for what they do. Lord, may we keep our children safe and give them what they need daily as You give us what we need.
Finally, Lord, we pray for Your Spirit to move among us later today as we come together in Your Son’s holy name. . May the gathering not just be a service we attend, but a holy encounter with You, the Living God ,who calls us, forgives us, equips us, and sends us out to be Your people in the world. We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen