Tag Archive for: ecme devotions

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?

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:20

Determination. It can be seen on any toddler’s face! You know exactly what it looks like and you know that a toddler can spend an amazing amount of time, fully determined, on one task. In a toddler’s mind, nothing is impossible. At a young age, toddlers feel they can take on the world and trust that they’ll win and succeed whatever the task!

Matthew 17:20 expresses that nothing is impossible. Many think Jesus is encouraging us to be just like that toddler. “Have confidence and determination and you can do whatever you set your mind to!” But Jesus means something very different. Jesus is teaching us that faith can do the impossible, not because it gives us determination, but because faith looks to the God who can do the impossible.

To emphasize this, Jesus talks about the power of faith even the size of a mustard seed. On average a mustard seed is one to two millimeters in diameter. It seems like mustard seeds can often be missed by the human eye. Jesus is using beautiful, figurative language by comparing something as miniscule as a mustard seed to faith that can do the impossible! His point is that it’s not the size or strength of your faith that matters. It’s that there is faith, period. And any faith, no matter how small, connects you to your big and powerful God. And with him nothing is impossible. For example, take your salvation. You couldn’t do a thing to save yourself. But God could and did. He came into this world to live and die for you. Faith gives you his perfection and his forgiveness. With faith, because it clings to God and his promises, nothing is impossible for you, not even overcoming sin and death.

“Nothing will be impossible for you”. This does not mean that everything in life is seen through rose colored glasses. There will be temptations, struggles, and sadness. The promise from God is that overcoming these struggles is not impossible…because GOD is faithful. God is always with us and has a plan for all that is happening in our life. God has promised to be with us and help us through all of life’s trials. Faith trusts this promise. The promise is fulfilled! God makes the impossible possible and gives us triumphs over the hardships in life!

This bible verse provides so much comfort! We find peace in the simple fact that God is faithful and faith trusts that his promises are fulfilled!

Prayer:

I know my faith is founded on Jesus Christ my God and Lord.
And this my faith confessing, unmoved I stand upon his Word.
Man’s reason cannot fathom the truth of God profound.
Who trusts in worldly wisdom relies on shifting ground.
God’s Word is all sufficient, it makes divinely sure,
And trusting in its wisdom, my faith shall rest secure.
Christian Worship 403:1

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

Deuteronomy 7:9

“Dear Jesus, thank-you for the firefighters. Thank-you for keeping me safe when I had to leave my house. I knew you would stop the fire and keep me safe. You are always by me.” This is a prayer that one of my 4-year-old pre-k students prayed the first week of school this year. As adults, we had all moved past the wildfires that ripped through our northern California community. However, the fires were still on the minds of the little students. As I listened to this child’s simple prayer I looked over at the little boy and I will never forget what I saw in his face. It was complete confidence in God. It was pure faith! This child had no doubt that God is HIS God and had been with him through the disaster. He also had the assurance that God would always be at his side. The phrase, “childlike faith”, came to my mind. This little boy, only 4 years old, gave a beautiful demonstration of faith with his simple prayer.

You and I have the same confidence of the little boy. God is our God! Deuteronomy 7:9, begins with the phrase, “Know that the LORD your God is God”. The word KNOW stresses that there is no doubt or question, the Lord God IS God. The further comfort of this small opening phrase is that God is your God. Faith is personal. Each person has a faith that God has given them through the Holy Spirit. God is YOUR God. He has you in his hands and is always with you.

The verse goes on to say, “He is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” God is faithful. God never leaves us or forsakes us! His covenant, promise of love is real and unchanging!

God is your God! Have the same confidence that the 4-year-old demonstrated. God is faithful and he is with you! His covenant is fulfilled. Through thick and thin God is with you protecting you and showing his love to you!

Prayer:

Faith finds in Christ whate’er we need to save or strengthen us indeed,
Receiving grace from heaven’s throne and humbly sharing cross and throne.

Faith in the Savior brings us peace and bids the mourner’s weeping cease;
By faith the children’s place we claim and give all honor to your name.”
Christian Worship 404:2-3

I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:23

During World War II, there was a series of films, newsreels, and printed material that explained “Why We Fight.” The tyranny and raw aggression of the Axis Powers was detailed out to provide the reasoning behind the war effort. Young men were motivated to do their part in the fight oversees, even being willing to give up their lives. Those who stayed home did their part with rationing and producing war materials. The reasons for fighting became all the more clear as the end of the war neared and the atrocious labor and death camps of the Holocaust were discovered. Evil had to be stopped. That was why they fought.

When St. Paul wrote these words, he didn’t say that he fought. But he did work hard, or labor intensely, as the verses that precede these words indicate. Why did Paul work so hard? As he said, he worked so hard for the sake of the gospel. In the gospel we find that the main battle has already been fought. We didn’t have the ability to defeat our enemies, so Jesus did. Paul’s Savior had already fought the good fight and won by dying on the cross and rising from the dead. The evil of sin, death, and the devil had been defeated.

Paul does say he labored. And so do teachers! Why work so hard in the Christian classroom, at church, or making your home a Christian home? To share in the blessings of the gospel. Don’t jump to an incorrect conclusion, though! Our labor doesn’t defeat evil. Remember, Jesus already did that by paying for our sin. Our labor, like Paul’s, is an exercise for our faith. By focusing on the gospel, and working really hard to do so, we are reminded that the blessings of the gospel are eternal. They are much greater than a new car or another pricey gift. God blesses us by rescuing us from eternal evil and giving us membership in his family through faith in Christ.

Beneficiaries of this relationship with God want to share it with others, even if that means labor and hard work. Teachers have a unique opportunity to spend hours every day of the school year sharing the message of Jesus with children. The hard work is worth it for those who realize that the spoken Word is the tool that God uses to grow the faith in those young hearts. You are a messenger of rescue from the eternal holocaust of separation from God in hell. This is why we work: Those who have a share of the blessings of the gospel work to share it with others!

Prayer:
Fight the good fight with all your might;
Christ is your strength and Christ your light.
Lay hold on life, and it shall be your joy and crown eternally.
Christian Worship 447:1

I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Psalm 121:1-4

When Jay was 3 years old, he had a seizure. He had not been sick, and he had never had a seizure before. When his mother came in his room to check on him before going to bed herself, she felt his body seizing uncontrollably. It was one of the few times in his father’s life that he ever dialed 911. The paramedics came and a trip to the ER followed, along with hours of tests and scans. Nothing abnormal was found. Doctors concluded that a virus had induced a high enough fever to cause the seizure, which the doctors explained was how the body resets itself. Jay’s parents were thankful that help came so quickly when they dialed 911 that night.

The words of Psalm 121 can be considered God’s 911. Open up to Psalm 121 for help in any and every struggle. Read about the One who loves his people Israel, which includes you, enough to watch over you at all hours of the day and night. The Maker of heaven and earth doesn’t take breaks or naps that prevent him from taking care of you. “He…will neither slumber nor sleep.”

Have you ever experienced insomnia? Statistics say that on any given night one in four Americans is experiencing insomnia. Chances are that at some point you have been the one lying awake. When we head to bed for the evening or wake up in the night, our brain turns to the thoughts of yesterday’s challenges and tomorrow’s possible difficulties. Worry. Anxiety. Stress. Call it what you like, but whether you realize it or not, those struggles are a result of trying to have control over the things that are in God’s control. When our failures haunt us, and our challenges overwhelm us, trying to carry those burdens ourselves will only leave us worse off by far. Doing better next time won’t cancel your guilt and no amount of stressing out about the future can change a single thing.

But you have a God who is in complete control. Lift your eyes and find your help in him. He calms your troubled heart filled with your failure by pointing your eyes to the cross of his Son who paid for every one of your mistakes. He calms your worried and anxious heart filled with the unknowns of tomorrow by reminding you that if he went to all the trouble of saving you eternally, he’s not going to forget to watch out for you tomorrow.

The Psalmist assures us that God does not slumber, he does not sleep. He is awake all night long, so he can be watching over everything. He does this so we can sleep. He is our watchman both at night and during the daylight hours.

How can we keep our hearts and minds on things above? Paul tells us. Remember that you have been raised with Christ. Christ has made you a brand-new person. He has made you a forgiven and living child of God. You have been raised with him.

That puts your day to day preoccupations into perspective. Only one reality is forever. Only one concern is eternal. Set your hearts on such things. As a resurrected child of faith find and take advantage of every opportunity to be in God’s Word and surround yourself with fellow Christians who can encourage and remind you of what is truly lasting and important.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you know that I worry over so many things – little things and big things. Remind me that I am not the one in control, but you are. You have everything planned for my good. Most importantly, you have sent your son Jesus to pay the debt for every one of my wrong doings. Keep my anxious heart from worrying, knowing that you are my watchman. In your name I pray. Amen.

A Question to Consider: What situations in your life are causing you to turn to your Lord for help so that you can sleep in peace? How could you use Psalm 121 and other verses from Scripture to remind you of the peace you have each day in Jesus?

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.

Luke 2:30-32

These words were spoken by Simeon who had been told that he would not die until he saw the Messiah, that is, the Christ. After he met the young family of Mary and Joseph he spoke these words that we still sing today, an ode to the Christ child who would be light and glory.

Jesus was the light to the non-Jewish people who did not yet know about salvation in him. He would be the glory of Israel too. Being the nation that produced the Savior of the world was Israel’s greatest honor. We who are the body of Christ are also light and glory. We bring light to a dark world by showing the love of Christ. We work for the glory of God by giving him all credit for the good we do and, more importantly, for the good he has done to us.
However, while this is all true, it doesn’t always seem to fit reality. Maybe this is true for the people who seem to have it all together (they don’t, by the way) but not for regular people just trying to make it through the day. It seems a little pointless to call us light and glory. But we are light and glory precisely because it is not about us.

We are not light and glory because we do good. We are light and glory because we are sinners whom God loved. There is no need to hide our frailty in an attempt to look good to our students, to their parents, or to anybody else we meet. God’s greatest glory is dying for sinners. This is light in a dark world. And as if that were not enough, God uses sinners like us to carry out his work of love.

You are role models to your students and parents. You know this. However, this does not mean that you have to be perfect. In fact, that would work against being a good role model. Being sinners humbled by God’s demands but lifted up by his love and forgiveness to a startling degree is how we are his glory and light to the world.

Prayer: Jesus Christ, make us your light and glory. When our students see their teachers, may they first see sinners saved in your beautiful grace. Amen.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:8-9

We are told to “work hard” but also to have “life balance.” We are told to “go all in” but also to “put ourselves first.” So what gives? It’s a mixed message at best, flat out opposites at worst. Where can I find joy if I am always working hard and not thinking of myself? On the other hand, how can I have a meaningful life if I am only living for myself? We know that this kind of selfishness does not lead to a full life.

The answer is that we are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. It is something that comes from outside. It fills us. It is a gift and the gift comes from the Holy Spirit. Christ has defeated death. How could we not be filled with joy? We have received the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls. How could we not leap for joy?

Of course, this is easier said than done when the half the class is sick, you are concerned one student is showing signs of autism, and the budget just got cut… and it is only Tuesday! Now the question becomes: how could we possibly have joy? First, Christ’s work of salvation cannot be undone. It is a fact of history not affected by your bad day or terrible week. This salvation is yours no matter what happens. Second, you get to be a part of this work of joy. You get to be the deliverer of love. You get to be the proclaimer of grace. You get to be the one, maybe the only one in a particular child’s life, that shows him or her what an undeserved kind of love looks like.

Oh, and one more thing. Christ will get his work done with or without you. The pressure is off. Not all depends on you. This is the freedom of the gospel. Work hard, have joy, and believe that Christ will fulfill his promises.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, give us the gift of joy in Christ’s salvation and the gift of joy in our work. May our witness of joy bring more to faith in Christ. Amen.

But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

Micah 7:7

“Hurry up and wait” was a phrase I often heard growing up. When a great event or important change in life was far off in the future, we had to “hurry up and wait”. The urgency was there but we had to wait. It is hard to wait. Ask any child promised a trip to Disneyland or to McDonald’s for that matter. It’s just as hard for adults to wait. Ask anybody waiting for a tax-refund or waiting for grandchildren to finally be born.

The person for whom we wait the most is Jesus. We wait for his return to take us to heaven. We wait for his promises of joy and peace to be fulfilled. We wait. But we wait in hope. And in this hope we will not be disappointed. We may not like the wait but we will not be disappointed. In heaven there is an ocean of bliss for every drop of frustration on earth.

Nor are we disappointed with Christ’s work here on earth. Again, we might grumble at the wait but not the results, that is, if we have the gift of a true hope. Think about the school year. At the beginning it might seem like speaking to little ones is like speaking to a wall. You are not quite sure anybody is actually listening. Why bother? But then the last weeks of the school year come and you remind yourself how far these kids have grown in a few short months. It was worth it, wasn’t it? And even if you did not see the results you were hoping for, you know that what you said might bear fruit the next year, the year after that, or even twenty years down the road. That’s out of your hands. So you hope.

In a more powerful way we place our hope in Christ not yet seeing all that he does behind the scenes through us and through others who serve us. This is hope. Hope is in what is unseen. Yet it is not blind. We see Christ’s track record. He has not let us down yet. He has fulfilled prophecy after prophecy. He has loved the unlovable. He died for us sinners and rose from the dead to defeat death for us. Why doubt? Sure, waiting is tough but with this hope we plug along in the sure conviction that Christ will make all things right for us.

Prayer: My God and Savior, give me the hope of a future great reward and lead me to love those around me in great joy. Amen.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Be joyful always.” Wow, that’s a tall order! God blesses me daily, but I admit that there are many times when I don’t radiate joy. It’s difficult to be happy when I feel the press of many tasks to be completed or when I’m faced with challenging students or parents or difficult home situations. How can I be joyful always?

One thing to remember is that God’s definition of joy does not match the world’s definition. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines joy as being “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune.” God, however, does not promise us an earthly life without troubles. Because of our sin, we will face troubles and sad times. Even Jesus, the one who never sinned, felt sadness at his friend Lazarus’ death.

True joy goes deeper than happiness at good fortune. True joy is knowing that even in our deepest times of sorrow, our Savior is with us. He draws us closer to him through our suffering. He comforts and reassures us, promising a perfect life with him. Because that’s the goal, isn’t it? We walk this path of uncertainties and difficulties knowing that Jesus, our Savior, is guiding us to be with him forever. The apostle Peter wrote, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9).

With this outlook, our joy will show, but not necessarily by a smile or a cheerful face. Our joy in Jesus shines when we trust our Lord to help us in times of trouble as in times of contentment. It shines when we share the reason for our joy with the people around us. It shines when we talk to our Savior and thank him for all that he does for us. It shines because our joy doesn’t originate in us; it comes from the source and creator of all – our Lord Jesus Christ. So yes, be joyful always, confident that this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:

Lord of glory, you have bought us with your lifeblood as the price,
Never grudging for the lost ones that tremendous sacrifice.
Give us faith to trust you boldly, hope, to stay our souls on you;
But, oh, best of all your graces, with your love our love renew.
Amen.

Christian Worship 486:5

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Ephesians 6:10-11

“My God is so big, so strong and so mighty; there’s nothing my God cannot do!” Perhaps you know this song and are humming it in your mind right now. It is a current favorite in my classroom. The students love singing about their strong God who can do everything.

What a blessing to know our God is mighty! It’s not so easy to be strong, as today’s passage encourages. We live in a world of temptations, troubles, and trials. The devil uses anything he can to draw our focus away from our Savior. On our own, we cannot stand up to him. But our almighty God can, and he did! He loves us so much he sacrificed his own Son. In Jesus we see the true strength of our God on display, the strength to set aside his power so that he might take our place and we might have salvation. “Jesus made himself nothing…and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:7-8). Our all-powerful God has not forsaken us.

Not only did God save us, he also equips us to stand against the devil’s schemes. He provides armor that can withstand any enemy: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17). As we read and study God’s Word, we become stronger. Armed with God’s true, powerful word, we battle the devil’s lies and temptations. We get to help others put on their armor as we share Jesus’ love with our students, school families, and each other. God gives us his strength.

My students’ favorite part of singing “My God Is So Big” is the ending. After singing about the wonderful things God has done, they finish with, “There’s nothing my God cannot do FOR YOU!” No matter what we are facing, God is stronger, God is mightier. He gives us the strength and armor to be strong in the Lord.

Prayer:

Lord of love, we bow before you, humbled by your constant grace.
Word incarnate, sent from heaven, on the cross you took our place.
By your death and resurrection, we shall live through endless days!
Lord of life, we sing your praise.

Christian Worship 237:3