Friday, July 24

Devotional: I Was Wrong

 

Acts 3:17-20

Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance.  But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things. Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.  Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.

 

Holy Counselor, your mercy invades every corner of life. You redeem thoughtless words and destructive actions and bring understanding and repentance to broken souls. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a devoted spirit within me today. Amen.

 

Music: Create in Me

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Thursday, July 23

Devotional: The Lap of God

 

Deuteronomy 32:11

Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions.

 

Mother God, you are nurturing and forgiving. Your heart seeks the broken and desperate. Your gentle hand heals hearts and gives strength to the weak. I seek your comforting touch today, ready to find rest in your grace. Amen.

 

Music: Better Than a Hallelujah

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Wednesday, July 22

Devotional: What Good Thing Are You Known For?

 

Romans 12:6

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.

 

Generous Creator, you are the Author and Finisher of faith. You endowed your creation with beauty, purpose, and energy. Help me to understand the gifts you have given me—to embrace their intention and use them to encourage others. Amen.

 

Music: Simple Living

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Tuesday, July 21

Devotional: Of Whom Shall I Fear?

 

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

 

Rock of Salvation, every good and perfect gift is from you. You will never leave nor forsake those whom you love. I will rest in you and not allow fear to limit me or hold me back from the fullness of life you offer. I will work and speak your grace today. Amen.

 

Music: Whom Shall I Fear?

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Monday, July 20

Devotional: Learning to Listen With Love   

 

John 10:27-30

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.

 

Gelah Raz, Revealer of Mysteries, your words are truth. You share wisdom and disclose concepts of mercy. I will wait for you to speak, listening with openness and honesty. Help me to release control of the conversation. Amen.

 

Music: Not in a Hurry

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Sunday, July 19

Devotional: What Does a Christian Look Like?

 

James 2:14-17

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?  Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

 

Christ, Embodiment of the Living God, in humanity, you took the place of the least of these. You chose humility as your foundation and forgiveness as your life’s work. You have asked me to love others—to care for those in need and bring justice to the oppressed. Give me strength to give all that I am for all that you are. Amen.

 

Music: All That I Am

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Friday, July 17

Devotional: Everything Over God

 

1 John 4:19-21

We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

 

Holy Parent of All, your children are the” apple of your eye.” You created each individual in your image, filled with your Spirit, and offered salvation by your sacrifice. As part of your family, may I realize the gift of your unconditional love and my privilege to love others in the same way. Amen.

 

Music: Love One Another

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Thursday, July 16

Devotional: Knowledge, Mystery & the Spiritual Frontier

 

Exodus 15:11

Who is like you among the gods, O Lord—glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?

 

Spirit of Radiated Glory, your brilliance is beyond comprehension. You create beauty beyond imagination and emanate power beyond comprehension. I am your creation, and you have filled me with the grace of your image. Grant me the curiosity that continually seeks you. Amen.

 

Music: Let Everything (Praise the Lord)

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Wednesday, July 15

Devotional: Stop Living in the Past

 

Jeremiah 29:10-14

This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

 

El Chaiyai, God of My Life, time is irrelevant to you. You are existence. You redeem and replenish, offering life abundantly.  I will be present in today, welcoming what you provide. Amen.

 

Music: God So Loved

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Tuesday, July 14

Devotional: Doubt

 

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

 

Empathetic Lord, you understand. You accept brokenness with healing love. You allow doubt with generous grace. I sometimes stagger in my faith, allowing myself to be tossed about by circumstances beyond my control. Give me strength to keep my eyes on my risen Savior today. Amen.

 

Music: You Keep Coming After Me

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Monday, July 13

Devotional: Disappointment

 

Matthew 10:29-31

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

 

Gracious Spirit, you understand the emotions and feelings of those into whom you breathe. You are the Comforter who faithfully waits with those who fear. Thank you for accepting my disappointment, for strengthening me when I am weighted down in distress, and for reminding me that I am your beloved child. Amen.

 

Music: Child of Love

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Sunday, July 12

Devotional: What to Do When You Can’t Hear God

 

Zephaniah 3:15-17

The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

 

Sovereign Companion, you are present in the silence. Your Spirit gently embraces the broken and gives strength to the defeated. I cling to your promise that you will never leave me. I trust that you will complete the work you began, and I will rest in you. Amen.

 

Music: The Story I’ll Tell

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Friday, July 10

Devotional: On Love of Nation

 

Galatians 5:13-14

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

Rabbi Jesus, you taught a radical theology of faith. Through your life, you shared a new paradigm of what it means to honor and obey God. Your message was clear and concise: love God, and love others. In my journey through life, may I be known as someone who lives out this radical gospel. Amen.

 

Music: By Our Love

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Thursday, July 9

Devotional: How Well Do We See?

 

Ephesians 5:8-10

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

 

El Roi, God Who Sees, your vision flows through your heart of love. You see with clarity the holy and the broken. Nothing escapes your view, and your gaze reaches gently with compassion. Open my eyes to see others as you do, each unique and created in your image. Amen.

 

Music: Love is a Miracle

 

 

Wednesday, July 8

Devotional: The Discipline of the Greater Good

 

Matthew 23:23

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 

 

Elohim Ahavah, God Who Loves, relationships are your priority. Creation sings with the overflow of your compassion for humanity, and your greatest joy will be realized when all is fully restored. While I journey through this imperfect world, help me to travel the higher way of love. Amen.

 

Music: More Like Jesus

 

 

Tuesday, July 7

Devotional: There’s Always Some Dude on a Horse

 

2 Chronicles 7:14

. . . if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 

 

God of Reconciliation, your way is love, mercy, and selflessness. You have gone to the greatest lengths to bring salvation to the world. Remove my arrogance, anger, and pride. Create in me a humble heart, fully surrendered to a life of restoration and grace. Amen.

 

Music: Gracious Tempest

 

 

Monday, July 6

Devotional: Psalm 2020 – Turning Anger Into Hope

 

Psalm 62:5-8

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God[c]; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

 

Holy Man of Sorrows, you understand pain. You felt rejection, dreaded death, and suffered through brutality and injustice. Thank you for accepting my lament. Thank you for your unwavering love that consoles, comforts, and offers hope. Amen.

 

Music: Sovereign Over Us

 

 

Sunday, July 5

Devotional: Think Like a Farmer

 

Colossians 2:6-7

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

 

Holy Caretaker, the rain you send nourishes the land, and the sun you provide heals and offers life. I pray for the soft mist of forgiveness from your Spirit and restoration in the grace of your Son today. Amen.

 

Music: Beautiful Things

 

 

Saturday, July 4

I Have a Dream

 

As a special way to honor this day when freedom is celebrated, take time to view this powerful multi-media presentation. Click “Begin” to start.

 

 

Friday, July 3

Devotional: Mr. Brunson’s Offering

 

Psalm 94:16-19

Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers? Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

 

God of Joy, you are insatiable in your desire for wholeness. You fill the world with wonder, anticipating the excited response of your children. Joy is difficult for me to find right now. Please open my eyes and my heart to the bounty of gladness your presence brings. Amen.

 

Music: Smile

 

 

Thursday, July 2

Devotional: Apart Together

 

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

 

God Who Prepares, you are thoughtful and intentional. You set the world in motion, and you will make all things right in your time. In your prefect plan, you have made me your hands and feet in my world. Equip me to do your will, and direct me on your path. Amen.

 

Music: Love One Another

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Wednesday, July 1

Devotional: Weeding

 

Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

 

Holy Artist, your creativity is boundless. The sky is your canvas and the earth your gallery. You refresh the depleted and mend the damaged. I am unclean and in need of your gentle pruning. Give me strength to allow you to do the work. Amen.

 

Music: Give Us Clean Hands

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Tuesday, June 30

Devotional: Casting Our Cares

 

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 

Jehovah-Palat, Deliverer, you are able. You are the God who overcomes evil and the Savior who defeated death. I will find solace and strength as I abide in you today. Amen.

 

Music: Sing it From the Shackles

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Monday, June 29

Devotional: Breaking Bread and Remembering

 

Acts 2:46-47

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

 

Bread of Life, you were broken for the redemption of your creation. You left heaven because of your great love and displayed your mercy upon a cross. The hope you offer does not promise a life without pain. Help me to share the healing balm of your grace through my own brokenness. Amen.

 

Music: Gracefully Broken

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Sunday, June 28

Devotional: Justice in the Rain

 

Isaiah 30:18

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

 

Impartial Judge, your love, justice, and mercy are distributed in equality. You do not play favorites, and your grace extends to all. May I realize the undeserved blessings I enjoy and live a life of humble generosity in response. Amen.

 

Music: Humble Heart

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