He came so we could have everything we need: everlasting life, God’s unconditional love, His never-ending forgiveness, and His ever-present guidance. What more could we possibly want?
Oh Lord, it’s not enough to just believe in you; many people do that. We must do more; we actually have to believe you! Help us overcome our unbelief so that we really do rely on your presence, trust in the power of your promises, and expect you to do the impossible.
We’re to do good whenever we have the opportunity, not just whenever it is convenient or when we feel especially benevolent. It doesn’t matter if we like or know the people needing our help or if our actions are advantageous to us or will bring us public admiration. It’s quite simple; do good whenever the opportunity arises!
Lord, make me willing when opportunity knocks!
Those who are loved, love, and those who are blessed, bless.
Father, show us how to share your love and blessings with everyone we encounter today!
Note: This was written the day after the Boston Marathon bombing, 2013
Lord, I’m angry! Where were you when the bombs exploded yesterday? Where were you when the twin towers fell, or when people were shot in the theater or when children died in their school? I’m angry and discouraged because I don’t understand how our almighty and loving God can allow these terrible things to happen. I know I’m supposed to have faith and trust in you, but it is so difficult in times like these.
Thank you, God, for loving and forgiving me even when I have difficulty loving, forgiving, and even believing in you.
I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining. I believe in love, even when I feel it not. I believe in God, even when he is silent.[Words found scrawled on a cellar wall in the bombed ruins of Cologne, Germany, following World War II]
Although we may not have armed foes, we do have “enemies.” We all have people in our lives who wound our hearts and souls. It may be a boss or a client, a neighbor or a “friend,” an in-law, a child and even a spouse, or simply some stranger met by chance.
Whoever these “enemies” are and whatever it is they might have done to hurt us, Jesus tells us how we are to respond: with love! It doesn’t matter that their behavior is totally unjustified; we are supposed to pray for them. It doesn’t matter how much they have hurt us; we are to respond with love. Instead of condemning them, we are to reach out and bless them. That’s a tall order; are we up to the task? For whom should we pray today?
Devotions of the Heart 