Tag Archive for: ecme devotions

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to [Jesus] and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:40-41

I absolutely love the buzz of August in a classroom! The room oozes with anticipation. The checklist of things to do goes on and on: supplies to purchase and organize, lessons to prepare, meetings to attend, home visits to make, setting up the classroom, etc.! No matter how many years are behind me, checking those things off the list one by one is delightful as I anticipate that first day with the room full of my new classroom family for the year.

How are you doing with all the things on your list? There can be an energy that comes from a full list of things to do. However, a full list can also heighten that constant battle within us to seek balance in our lives. Even if you absolutely love what you do and the role in which you serve, you have other responsibilities, other roles. It’s a lot and at times it can be tough. How can you and I manage all of this? How can we serve faithfully in all our roles? Even more, how can we avoid neglecting the most important task, being faithful in the Word each and every day?

Martha was busy and the tasks she attended to were not sinful. Her attention to providing for Jesus and his disciples was likely no small task. But Jesus, her friend and ours, gently brings Martha and us back to the heart of all we do—the one thing that is needed, Jesus. You may be feeling guilt for neglecting time with Jesus. You may be craving quiet time at Jesus’ feet just as Mary did. But the tasks are sitting right in front of us. Listen to Jesus’ words of encouragement to stop, listen to his Word, be refreshed and renewed. Seek his forgiveness for times where you’ve avoided regular nurture from his Word. The tasks will still be there, and you still get to do them. But when devotion to the Word is our first priority, the Holy Spirit equips us and fortifies us for life’s challenges. This also causes an increase in love for our Savior and for one another. And as we go about all those tasks each day, we are filled with the joy and peace that come from knowing that Jesus loves us and those we serve, Jesus’ grace is ours, and that it is Jesus who has gifted us with the privilege of sharing his grace with all those around us.

As the new school year approaches, keep checking things off that list with the exception of one item, the first item—time in the Word with your Savior. He’s always there and so eager to spend time with you.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I am so excited and humbled to serve the children and families in our school. As I begin another year, bless all that I do to share you. I need time sitting at your feet just like Mary did. Especially bless my efforts to spend time with you in the Word. In your name I pray. Amen

A Question to Consider: This is a great time to renew our commitment to being in the Word. What are ways that you can establish a routine to be in the Word each day? Is this the year to start a prayer journal? Is there an online devotion or podcast that you can listen to? Is there a colleague that you can partner with? Find what works for you and pray for God’s blessings on your time with him.

I [Paul] did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

I Corinthians 2:1-5

Truth time! Raise your hand if you love to speak in public. Even if we could all be in the same room together and see each other, my guess is that we would see very few, if any, hands raised. Speaking to a group for some is just shy of a nightmare. For most, it’s uncomfortable, really uncomfortable.

Now, think about Paul—one of the most well-known and respected missionaries of his time and maybe of all time. And yet he admits that that speaking with eloquence or superior wisdom were not the tools he brought. He describes coming to them in weakness and fear, even trembling. The Corinthians were a group of people who placed high value on eloquent orators who demonstrated wisdom and the skills of debate. Paul was a highly educated man. As you read his writings, you easily see that he was gifted with words. But in this case he came to the Corinthians in a simple way. He was not out to impress them with his skill, but rather he let the Word speak for itself. It was important to him that they heard the message and understood from whom the message came. He wanted God’s power to be clear and Paul the man to only be a messenger.

You and I have opportunities to share the gospel with individuals and sometimes groups of teachers, parents, and others. However, our sinful human nature can derail or limit our efforts. We can be hesitant out of fear that we won’t speak well. We may be concerned that we don’t have all the answers. We can also be guilty of trying to impress with our skills and knowledge rather than focus on the simple message of sin and grace. Whatever our roadblock, we look to Paul’s example. He knew his audience, the people with whom he was sharing the message. Because he knew them, he was able to consider the way of communicating that minimized the obstacles of their hearing the message. He wanted the focus to be solely on God and his message of salvation for them.

We all have excuses. Perhaps we’ve all been guilty of overconfidence. For those times, seek the Lord’s forgiveness. God’s message in the Word is powerful on its own. Our role is to share that message in a way that focuses on God’s redeeming grace and mercy to all. May the Lord bless you as you share that grace-filled message of forgiveness given, salvation won, a home in heaven prepared for all through faith in Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Father, give me humility to realize the enormity of your message of salvation. Give me confidence knowing that it is your message and that you will bless it. Give me a heart that reflects your gift of grace in all that I do. In your name I pray. Amen.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1

One of my favorite things to do any time of year is to stand outside on a dark night and look up. My favorite place is our family home that is outside the noise and lights of the city. On a clear night, it’s difficult to put into words the beauty of the sky full of shimmering stars or the light of a full moon shining on the surface of a body of water. The quiet and beauty are breathtaking. It is in these quiet moments that we stand in awe of the God who not only made lights in the sky for warmth and to help us see but made them exquisitely beautiful as well.

In nature we hear a silent testimony of the glory of God. The sun and moon move predictably marking each day and night. We stand at the edge of the ocean and marvel at its power in mighty waves and the peace a calm sea provides. In nature, we see the work of God our Creator. But nature doesn’t tell the whole story. It is only in his word, the Bible, where we see the magnificent story of God’s plan of salvation.

It’s easy to take the incredible miracle of creation for granted. But even more, it’s easy to take for granted the grace and mercy that are ours through what Christ has done for us. Born in a non-descript stable. Lived a life of perfection without sin. Died a criminal’s death. Rose from the dead in the early morning hours. Ascended to prepare a place. All for you. All for me. For all of us—undeserving as we are and yet the recipients of forgiveness, grace, and mercy.

As you look at the night sky or marvel at the miracle of nature, may they remind you to think beyond God’s creative glory to his redeeming love. Then the peace of a quiet sky can remind you of the peace we have in Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to see your glory in the world you have created for us. We thank you especially for your gift of undeserved grace and mercy that gives us peace with you. Help us to reflect that peace in all we do. In your name we pray. Amen

Reprinted

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me. He has sent me…to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.

Isaiah 61:1

When the smoke cleared on the morning of September 14, 1814, the battered American flag still stood. This sight of victory caused Frances Scott Key to write what eventually became our national anthem, the “Star Spangled Banner”. That anthem is now proudly sung across the entire United States, a reminder of our freedoms.

When the smoke cleared on that first Easter morning, the once battered and crucified Savior stood victorious over sin, death, and the devil. Because of that victory, you are now dedicating your lives to telling others about that message. Your life is a religious “national anthem” of sorts.

There are likely children and families in your care that don’t know what it’s like to be free in Christ. They still don’t know the message of the crucified and risen Savior. The message of the gospel is still hidden behind a veil of despair or pride for some of those we serve. The Sovereign LORD has called you to pull back that veil, so that they can see the victory is won. Some still strive and grasp about, blindly seeking the “meaning of life”. The LORD has sent you to provide for them THE meaning of life. Praise and thanks to God for giving you that opportunity.

That sounds like a tall order, doesn’t it? Thankfully, God our Savior does all the work for us. We simply carry out our duties faithfully, and the LORD of all creation does the rest. That glorious gospel message has the power to work faith. Take heart, even your meager, stumbling efforts don’t come back to the LORD empty. Trust the power of God’s Word!

On this Independence Day, take a moment to thank God for your freedoms. Thank him for the opportunity that he has given you to “proclaim freedom for the captives”. Especially thank him for the faith that he has already worked in your heart—the faith with which you reach out and receive the gift of sins forgiven and eternal life.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom that we have through Christ. Help me to faithfully proclaim that freedom to those in my care. Amen

Reprinted from July 4, 2016

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

Isaiah 43:1b

The end of a school year often finds teachers reviewing their year. They look back on the things that went well and find satisfaction. They look back on the rough parts and decide what can change and improve for the upcoming year. As you do this, you may be tempted to fall into one of the following ditches:

1) You may look at all that went well during the year and think, “I am an awesome teacher. I have accomplished so much, and I am a professional that others should learn from.”
2) You may look at all that did not go well and fall into despair. You may say, “Why am I a teacher? There are so many things that I failed to handle with grace and professionalism. I can’t even begin to imagine doing this all over again next year.”

The problem with both of these scenarios is that we are trying to find our identity within ourselves. We are measuring our worth by our own outward accomplishments or failures, and this creates fear. We fixate on our mistakes because we fear that others will see us as failures. Even in our successes, we put more pressure on ourselves to repeat them and fear the ridicule if we don’t.

Reread today’s verse. “I have called you by name.” We can look at ourselves as God looks at us. Isaiah says to “fear not”, because God has redeemed us. Christ went to the cross and erased all the pride and all the self-pity with which we fill our minds. When we were baptized, we became God’s very own child; he claimed us. We find our identity in Christ, and when we do, we see a God who loved us enough to die in our place. We see a God who calls each of us personally by our name. How special we are to him!

So as you review this past year, focus on what God has done through you and around you. Thank him for the blessings he has given you and those you serve. And start those plans for next year knowing that he who has called you by name and calls you his own, will be with you.

Prayer:
Go, my children, with my blessing, never alone.
Waking, sleeping, I am with you; you are my own.
In my love’s baptismal river, I have made you mine forever.
Go, my children, with my blessing–you are my own.
(Christian Worship 332:1)

Reprinted from June 20, 2016

Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:1,2

Ahhh! It’s summer! Another school year is drawing to a close. At times we thrived and at times we survived! It’s time for some rest and relaxation, right? This month we’re focusing on the 4 R’s of summer: relax, renew, review, and reflect.

As we look back and reflect on our year, it is easy to say, “I deserve a break. I faithfully kept X number of kids alive and fed. I shared Jesus with them and maybe even taught them a few things. I am ready to take time away from it all and relax. That’s great! It’s good to take time away from the work that we do and spend time with family and activities we enjoy outside of our everyday work.

Sometimes though, when we take a break from our jobs, we tend to take a break from more than just our work. We set our hearts on beaches, time with family, camping, the lake cabin, and other things we love. We often forget to continue to set our hearts on God. Throughout the school year we meet weekly with faculty around God’s word. We study Bible Stories daily to teach to our students. We pray for patience and wisdom. Then summer comes, and the temptation is to forget about God for a while or even unintentionally, set him aside. Weekends become filled with activities, and we might miss church. Our kids are out of school, so we don’t make time for those quiet morning devotions.

Paul tells us in the letter to the Colossians to “set our hearts on things above”. It is not wrong to dream about our summer getaway, but we need to remember what is most important. What is up above? “Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” Christ, our Savior, who pleads for us in front of the Father every time we lose our patience with a student. Christ, our Redeemer, who gives us peace and rest at the end of every stressful week when we doubt whether or not we are making an impact. Christ, our Redeemer forgives us for every mistake we make, and he forgets every time we put our summer plans before him.

Summer is here. Whether you serve in a part time program or a year-round program, go ahead and make plans to take a break. As you make those plans, set aside time to be with Jesus. Look forward to worship and Bible study each week. Relax in knowing his grace and mercy for you.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for guiding me through another school year and the blessings that you brought through my humble efforts. Be with me during the summer months and help me to continue to seek you in your Word each and every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A Question to Consider: With the extra time that summer provides, what are some ways that you can stay connected to the Word? Is there a spiritual book you’ve been wanting to read? Maybe there’s a friend that you can do a book study with. Can you find someone to do daily devotions with? Maybe this is the time to start that prayer journal you’ve been thinking about. Have fun finding ways to keep yourself and maybe others, connected to the Word. May God bless you as you do!

(Reprinted from June 6, 2016)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

As most of the children settle on their mats or cots and drift off to sleep, you sit quietly rubbing the back of a little one. She is new to your center and is having trouble adjusting to being in a new place with new caregivers. You quietly assure her that you are there, Jesus is with her, and that all will be ok.

You turn your head toward the nightstand. It’s 2:45 am and restful sleep still has not come. Your mind whirls with things to do and worry about a family concern increases as each minute ticks by. You know that sleep will help you handle the day, but it won’t come.

It’s likely that both scenarios have a ring of familiarity. As you serve the young children in your care, you often have opportunity to reassure them that Jesus is always with them, Jesus loves them, Jesus is watching over them. And then come our own stresses: a to-do list longer than the day, a parent who is unhappy, bills (for the ministry or personal) that are larger than the budget, guilt over any number of things. We can be so comforting and encouraging to the children and to each other. But taking those reassurances to heart – for ourselves – can be entirely different. We know the truth of those comforting words we share. But how well do we apply them to ourselves?

The words of our Bible verse today were spoken by Jesus to his disciples. He had explained to them that he would soon be leaving them. You can imagine their anxiety level. Imagine Jesus’ calm voice in these words: I’m giving you a peace that is beyond any peace the world has to offer. It is a peace from your sin. It is a peace in knowing that I am with you always. It is a peace that knows that I will take you with me to heaven.

We have peace from guilt; our sins are paid for. We have peace that defeats worry and fear. No matter how difficult the situation, Jesus is with us through it all. No matter how difficult our earthly life, we will be with him in heaven for eternity. This peace is one that we’ll never find in the world but always find in Jesus, our peace. As those concerns and worries keep eating at our sleep, we can pray the simple hymn that we teach our little ones. Rest well in Jesus’ peace.

Prayer:
Now the light has gone away; Father, listen while I pray,
Asking you to watch and keep and to send me quiet sleep. Amen
Christian Worship 593:1

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

This month, many of you are in your last weeks of the school year. You are likely looking forward to the final days of school and a summer with a different routine. You are also likely reflecting on this last year with the group of children in your care. This month, we’re going to take a look at some of the songs and hymns that you may have shared with your little ones and Scripture verses that reflect the message of the song. Feel free to hum along as you spend time in the Word, reflecting on the blessings of this year of sharing Jesus with your children.

Let’s start with what is probably one of the most well-known and dearly loved songs sung by little ones everywhere.
“Jesus loves me, this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong.
They are weak, but he is strong.”

There are a number of Scripture verses that can reflect the messages in this song. The one that first comes to mind is, John 3:16 “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but will have eternal life.” You see it on signs at sporting events, on t-shirts, on public signs, and on pieces of art. It’s easy for such a verse to become so well known to us that we gloss over the words. Think with me about the stunning message in this verse. God loved this world of ours enough to go into action. He did more than just say he loved us. He showed us he loves us. How? He wanted to give the most incredible gift-his only Son. Imagine God the Father, turning to his Son and saying to him that he is God’s ultimate gift to a world that doesn’t always love him. From an earthly logic, it makes no sense. He loves us when we don’t always love him. We turn from him and he turns to us. We wander. He comes to us as Jesus, our Savior and in his Word. Why would God do that? He loves us. How do we know? He gave us his word in his Word, the Bible.

“Little ones to him belong.” “Little ones” includes the young children you serve, their families, you, me. It is his desire that all people everywhere would believe in him and be with him for the endless years of eternity in heaven with him. Like an earthly father who yearns to be with his children, even more so, God yearns to have us with him. After all, he loved the whole world.

“They are weak, but he is strong.” Oh my! We get that, right? How often do you feel like you’re in over your head? How many times have you wondered how you could possibly work through a challenge or crisis? How often does fear or worry take up your thoughts? How long do we agonize before we realize that our dear friend and Savior, Jesus, has been there all along? He is loving. He is patient. He knows all things. He made all things. He can and wants to help. He is never weak but always strong. Our weakness shows itself in our sins. His strength and his love are demonstrated in the perfect life he led that we cannot live. His strength is shown in the words of the cross, “It is finished” as he took the terrible consequences that are ours. He paid what we couldn’t pay. “Yes, Jesus loves me!”

As you make your way through the final days of the school year and sing those song one more time, think about the simple, yet amazing message that is planted in the hearts of the children. With confidence and joy, we can all sing, “Yes, Jesus loves me!” Wow! Thank you, Jesus. May I and my students, always love you, too!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you. Thank you for loving me so much. Thank you for being strong when I am weak. Thank you for your word in the Bible. Thank you for being my Savior. Help me to share this with each child, family, colleague, and friend I know. In your name I pray. Amen

A Question to Consider:
This week consider one phrase of John 3:16 each day and ponder what it means for you and how you can share that with the children, their families, and others.
• God so loved the world
• He gave his one and only Son
• That whoever believes in him will not perish
• But have eternal life.

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:2

“I know that my Redeemer lives! What comfort this sweet sentence gives!” (Christian Worship 152:1)

We’ve waited months to sing those lines, and Easter is finally here! The words from Isaiah are also a song of praise for our salvation. Jesus is our salvation, that is, he saved us from our sins, when he died on the cross and came back to life on that first Easter.

It is finished—Jesus’ mission is complete! We are the ones that deserve the punishment, but instead Jesus was punished in our place. We praise him for his undeserved love!

But we still have a daily struggle against our own sin and temptation.
God gives us the faith to trust in him and the strength to turn away from sin. Although the world wants to lure us from him by encouraging our greed, deceit, and pride, we can daily ask God for the strength to help us resist temptation and thank him for the forgiveness that he freely gives when we fail.

One way that we can show our thankfulness to God for his grace, or undeserved love, is to study his Word at church and in our home. By reading his Word, the Bible, we are daily reminded of how frail we are and how mighty he is. We are daily reminded that God’s Word has the power to change hearts, starting with our own.

We do not need to be afraid of anything in this life, including our own death. Jesus is God, who rules over all things. May we praise him now and until he comes again!

Prayer:

He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives;
“I know that my Redeemer lives! “ Christian Worship 152:7,8

A Question to Consider:
What routines can you put into practice so that you continue learning what the Bible tells us about Jesus and the strength he gives us?

Jesus said to [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

John 11:24-27

Her brother had just died. When Jesus said these words to Martha, she was grieving the loss of her dear sibling. Can you imagine? Martha was looking at her Savior, Jesus, who is also God and can do anything—and yet he chose not to stop her brother’s death. The pain she must have felt that day!

And yet, even in her grief, Martha was hopeful. Jesus reminded her that we do not need to fear death because Jesus has given us a place in heaven.

Jesus’ question, “Do you believe this?”, is for everyone. Everyone disobeys God and needs a Savior. We fall short of perfection. We fail to trust and love God. We miss opportunities to study his Word in church and at home. We disobey God by doing what he tells us not to do. And so our sin causes us to doubt. It leads us to wonder if God’s promises are really for me.

Jesus’ words are his gospel invitation to see ourselves in his promises. He is our resurrection because he rose from death for us. We will live because the Spirit has put faith in our hearts to cling to that truth. In fact, nothing, not even death, can separate us from Jesus because even though we die, we will live because of him!

We are living not for this world, but the next. Yes, we will leave behind this world and all that we love in it, but death is not the end. In fact, death is the beginning!

Even when we have sadness, we place our comfort in what Jesus has done for us, knowing that we will someday leave this world and all the sadness behind. May we answer as quickly and joyfully as Martha: “Yes, Lord! We believe that you are the Christ!”

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, sometimes I am overcome with grief, sorrow, or troubles of this world. Thank you for being my source of comfort when troubles arise. Help me to remember that I am living not for this world, but for heaven. I say with Martha, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ!” Amen.

A Question to Consider:
How can you use these Bible verses to comfort someone who has lost a friend or family member? What words would you use to help them share your confidence that Jesus is the Christ?

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

A gift from a friend shows up on your desk. There is no reason for it. It is not your birthday or a holiday. “Just because…” the note reads. Sometimes those unexpected gifts mean more than the extravagant birthday or Christmas gifts. It was given in love with thoughtfulness, and not because we deserved or earned it. They really knew what you needed, even when you didn’t.

That is what Christ did for us! But his gift was beyond our thinking, more than we can comprehend. While we were miserable, dirty, rotten sinners, he gave his life to save us! We did nothing to earn or deserve it. He did not make us earn it. He didn’t wait until we were ready or asked for it. He just gave it, forgiveness, a gift beyond all understanding. Wow! What an amazing gift! He shed his blood to save us from God’s wrath. We deserve only punishment, yet Jesus took that punishment for us. What a blessing!

Now, because of his life and death, we rejoice in his gift to us. We sing praises to our Lord and Savior. We proclaim his glory! This blessing is for all people, all sinners. He wants all to be saved through his blood. He sends us forth in this world to share that same love and kindness to others. For many of us that starts in our classrooms, our schools, and our communities. Go the extra mile for your families. Take time to learn about them and their lives, needs, and wants for their child. Share Christ’s love with your students and their families. Let your light shine in your classroom, your school, and your community. When the world sees that light, let it reflect the love of our Savior for them.

Prayer:
All are redeemed, both far and wide,
Since Jesus Christ for all has died;
Grant us the will, and grace provide,
To love them all in you. Amen.
Christian Worship 499:4

A Question to Consider: Are there ways you can let your light shine in your community when you are out and about conducting your everyday routines? At the grocery store? At the gas station? How can you share the love of Jesus in your words and actions?

For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Romans 5:19

“I am ready to try again.” It happens almost every day. A child needs redirecting. They are struggling with an activity, social interactions, sharing, or a group setting. The teacher redirects them to a new activity, but the child really wants to go back to what they originally were doing. The child says, “I am ready to try again.”

We are all sinners. Sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden. We all struggle with choices, activities, peer pressure, or navigating this sinful world in a God pleasing way. The reality is we sin. Thankfully, God had a solution for this problem—the problem of sin. He sent his Son to offer the obedience we couldn’t. Christ lived an obedient life. He lived perfectly where we fall short. He did that for us that we might be made right with God. He humbled himself, obedient to death, even death on a cross for us. He died perfectly too. He did that so that God would no longer see our sins, but rather Jesus’ perfection! God made us new. We are his own dear children through Jesus’ life and death. He gives us a new identity through the obedience of his Son. He calls us his child!

Therefore, it is because of that love and that peace with God, that we can start each new day saying, “Lord, I am ready to try again!” Motivated by God’s love and this new life through Christ, we want to do better, and we want to share his love with those we meet daily. God has empowered us by the Holy Spirit. He has given us a gift that we can share daily with the children and families we serve. What a joy and privilege this is!

Prayer:
Dear Father, empower us with your Spirit. Give us strength and wisdom as we start each day as your dear child. Help us share this gift of love with all those we meet today and always. Amen.

A Question to Consider: What are some ways you can share this message and the gift of forgiveness with the children and families at your school? Are there ways you can use Law and Gospel in your redirection and discipline that you are not already doing?