Yesterday, Today, and Forever

 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8

Occasionally I make the trip back to where I grew up, a rural acreage that was a farm but also a sand quarry. My father (and his father before him) sold sand to construction companies for concrete, and its location on our property from my growing-up years was a large pit (in fact, that was the business name: Hieb Sand Pit). The view of the pit from our house hasn’t changed much over the years, even though much of the landscape on the property has.

I think of this “sameness” like the promise from God in the scripture noted above. He has promised to be the same “yesterday, today, and forever”. This steady presence in our world brings a sense of peace, even when the world around us seems to be in chaos.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your promises and your steadiness in our lives. Thank you for remaining the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank you for being that one we can turn to when we need clarity and a sense of peace. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

(top two photos show the view referenced in devotion, second one taken on a recent trip (September 2023). The barn has, sadly, fallen apart. Other photos of the sand pit added just for fun! Click on any photo to view larger.)

What’s In It for Me?

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16

We have all been asked to donate, serve on a committee, or help someone. Often our first reaction is to try to think of an excuse to turn down the request—I’m too busy. I don’t know how to do that. Money is pretty tight right now. I already gave at the office. Solicitations arrive in the mail almost every day and tossed directly into the trash - unless there is a “thank you" gift offered. Sometimes those garner a second consideration. Is that trunk organizer worth contributing?  An “NPR Nerd” t-shirt would be fun to wear, and I only have to give five dollars a month.

When Paul wrote to the Hebrews to encourage Jewish members of the church to follow the teachings of Jesus and not revert to their previous practices, he directed them to do good deeds that required sacrifice. Sacrifice requires giving something we value, that costs us something. Investing in another person and going out of our way by offering our time, our prayerful support, or a listening ear is far more valuable than anything money can do or buy. When we give ourselves to others, we are pleasing God.

Prayer: Lord God, help me recognize others who are in need and see how to “do good” in a way that reflects a sacrifice pleasing to God. Give me the strength and courage to offer myself in ways that are uncomfortable and unfamiliar. Amen.           

Carol McClain

Miracles People Viewed

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them.  His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.  Matthew 17:1-4

Jesus’ countenance changed in an unearthly way. He appeared like he will in heaven while he was still on earth.

As he (Jesus) approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” Those who were sent ahead found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”  They replied, “The Lord needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. Luke 19:29-36 

Not only did Jesus know the colt would be sitting there, he knew the owners would let the donkey go without payment if they said Jesus needed it. This is crossing the barriers of time and space along with preparing the owners minds to just let them take the colt to Jesus without paying anything. Did you catch that the colt had never been ridden? Somehow Jesus related to the colt’s mind that it was okay to have someone on his back. Another miracle!

He (Jesus) is the maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. Job 9:9-11 (The Orion is a prominent constellation during winter in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is one of the eighty-eight modern constellations; it was among the forty-eight constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy. It is named for a mythological hunter in Greek mythology. The Pleiades are a dazzling cluster of stars in the constellation Taurus, visible to the naked eye on clear nights.)

I love looking at the night sky. The making of the constellations is unbelievable, but he also made the earth, other planets and all of creation as we know it. Including US! If you want to know more about His miracles, search “Bible Gateway” where there is a list of forty-two miracles of Jesus throughout His lifetime on earth.

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, open our hearts to believe our Savior, Jesus. Thank you for the people that talked about seeing these miracles. Jesus was God on earth as God’s son and gave His life for us. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck

Give Thanks

Be joyful

Pray always

Give thanks 

Promises from the book of Corinthians

If the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven...2 Corinthians 5:1 

Choose Your Friends Carefully

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20

“Do not be deceived. ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” 1 Corinthians 15:33

Have you noticed how when a group gathers, the conversation often turns to a mutual friend who stayed home? Sometimes stories are told about silly predicaments they encountered. Or the time they were really embarrassed in front of a crowd. The absent friend’s escapades bring guffaws and laughter to the gang.  Suddenly the absent friend makes a late appearance and asks, “What’s so funny, guys?” Everyone averts their eyes and lamely tries to avoid the question.

Now imagine a group of believers gathering to share news of the love of God, forgiveness, and caring. They laugh about the joyous day when they arrive at the heavenly gates. The friends share parables and challenge each other to interpret Jesus’ word. Amazingly, God appears among them and asks, “Have you shown love to each other?” No one needs to look away; they excitedly rush to tell God about the compassion they have gladly shared. 

Prayer: Lord God, remind us to follow the example of Christ and hold onto kind and caring thoughts about our friends and acquaintances. Help us censor our words and resist peer pressure to act in opposition to our good morals. Amen

Carol McClain

All Saints' Day