Posts by SFNAZ Devotional Team (Page 4)
Make Disciples
The only verb in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20) is matheteuo – “make disciples.” The rest of the verse modifies this verb—or tells us how to make disciples. It is that last thing Christ told us to do before he returned to the Father. So how are we doing at that? On my 21st birthday I went to a Billy Graham Crusade in San Diego. When the invitation came, I went forward, as I wanted to see what happened when…
Striving to be Your Best
I wouldn’t trade my eight years in the Army for anything. My military experience helped shape me into the man I am today. I have very few regrets related to those years, but I do have regrets. Because of my military experience, I enjoy watching military-based movies and TV shows. Most recently I’ve enjoyed watching the series on Fox called Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. If you haven’t seen the show, it’s filmed in the Jordanian desert, not far from…
Faith of a Child
Last week we recognized the first anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine. I was privileged to have been ministering to Ukrainian refugees in Poland when the war reached its six-month milestone. A couple of weeks ago the Church of the Nazarene sent out an email that included a video of our compassionate ministry work supporting Ukrainian refugees. Much of the video featured the work of the Sweet Surrender ministry in Poznan, Poland. The last image in the…
Hide-and-Seek
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. PSALM 139:8 – 10 Our little granddaughter loves to play peek-a-boo. It is so cute to watch her hide her eyes behind her chubby little hands. …
Freely Given
We wrapped each and every present with the greatest care. We found the exact bow to go with the wrapped present. It couldn’t have been more fitting. The presents looked absolutely stunning under the perfectly decorated Christmas tree. Each light was placed to shine the right color on each decoration on the tree. The tree couldn’t have looked better. We saw some of these exquisite, decorated trees on Facebook. The owners were so proud of their achievements. Each piece of…
SFNAZ Devotional – 12/15/2022
Snow. For the last two weeks we’ve had a seemingly endless supply of it! It’s beautiful, lending an almost ethereal quality to everything it covers. There’s a peace I experience as I look out my window and see the valley below snuggled in the white blanket of nature. But then I look out the other window and see Rusty in an uphill battle to stay ahead of clearing out snow from our half-mile long driveway so we don’t become marooned…
Saul Meets Jesus
A few days ago, I was doing my devotions starting with 1 Thessalonians. It started with Grace and Peace to you. Then I started wondering how many of Paul’s Epistles start with Grace, Peace, or Mercy. All the first chapters of Paul’s letters start with Grace, Peace, or Mercy within the first seven verses. Most within the first 3 verses. The natural thing to wonder is how many end with Grace, Peace, or Mercy. All of them except Romans &…
Obedience
The Holy Spirit keeps pushing all of us forward. I for one do much better when I follow His guide. He is not our co-pilot, but He is the Pilot, the one in charge. If I try to lead it turns out awful. There have been tons of things going on! One of my McDonald girls ended up moving out of their apartment, before their house was ready. So, all seven of them were at Motel 6. No microwaves or…
Patience
Ephesians 4:2 “Always be humble and gentle, be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”, There seems to be two kinds of people in the world: those that are never in a hurry and those that are always in a hurry. The hurried person is already buckled into the car while their unhurried family member wanders around the house looking for their homework, shoes, lunch. Maybe even getting into the car without these…
I Choose God’s Freedom
Recently I was on greyhound to visit my friend in Monroe! On the way home I had the same bus driver and his son riding along. The son is about 15ish. We were on our last stop of the day, and the Driver Dad and son were funning with each other. They were laughing and joking with one another. In the middle of all of this a passenger got on the bus. There wasn’t room for the three of them…
SFNAZ Devotional 10/13/2022
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-2 (NIV) We live a life full of change, some good and some bad. The seasons change. I love that we live in an area that enjoys the experience of all four seasons. I am enjoying the crisp cool morning and evenings and the warm afternoons. The leaves move through their process of change yet my flowers…
Be Ready
On one particular Friday I was headed home to get ready for a party we were attending, and then I thought about a Church Family that was at Holy Family. I really need to stop and see them. It won’t take that long! I pull into the parking lot and go inside. I stop at the front counter which everyone has to do because of Covid. At Providence, if you are Clergy and can prove it, then you don’t count…