Today Daily Devotional

John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
— Luke 3:10-11

The man had been invited in, and he had become part of the church. He lived on a pension and struggled with a mental illness. He had been the CEO of a large company in Toronto until his health had changed. His life had become drastically different, but he lived with a large and generous heart. He wanted to contribute, and one day he walked into the church to join others. He said, “I have eight sausages, still frozen. I don’t like sausages, but I would like to share them with others. Can we make two pots of soup; one with sausage, and one without?” We assured him that we could do that. He enjoyed the soup that had no sausage, and he was pleased that others enjoyed the soup with sausage. He knew that meals were harder to find at the end of the month. He had learned that a pension check goes only so far. He knew that if he shared with others, it would be good news for them. His sharing also inspired others. It was the start of our church’s Stone Soup meal, and many people have contributed to it. He was glad to find a place of peace that could help him serve others. Stone Soup is now a community event where food, clothes, and friendship are shared on two Thursdays each month. Many are invited so that the good news can be shared. This has led many people to walk through the door of a church who might not have otherwise done so. You are invited too! 

Dear God, help us to be generous and kind even if our life turns upside down. Help us to use what you have given us to bless others. Amen.

“Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds . . . perch in its branches.”
— Matthew 13:32

The door opened, and in walked a woman I did not know. She explained that she was from a business downtown that had recently received the Terrific Tuesday Award. (Our church sends a bouquet of flowers each week to a different business or organization in town to encourage the staff and let them know that the church is praying for them that week.) She said she needed to stop in and share her story. The owner of the business had recently been admitted to the hospital with a terminal illness, and the employees were trying to deal with that news when the flowers arrived. The woman said she had been praying and that when the flowers came, she was reassured that God was listening and in control. She wanted to thank us for our part in offering them hope at this difficult time. She also asked if we would continue to pray for the business owner, who was now in palliative care. This helped me realize how we need to remember that God is always at work in the details of our lives. When we began sending flowers on Tuesdays, we had no idea how often it might create an opportunity for sharing God’s love and peace. But it helped make connections we hadn’t imagined, and we were able to pray and share with people who needed hope and encouragement. Jesus used it to show up in people’s lives. 

Dear Lord, thank you for opportunities to reach out to all kinds of people so that, like a mustard seed, your kingdom will grow. Amen.

[Look] not . . . to your own interests but . . . to the interests of the others.
— Philippians 2:4

I live in an area where snow falls in winter, and I would prefer that it would stay off my driveway. My husband looked outside at the snow one day and scowled. He knew I would need the driveway cleared off soon. Just then our doorbell rang, and three enthusiastic brothers stood at the door with shovels in hand, asking if they could help to clear our driveway. Delighted, my husband hired them right away. Now, whenever snow falls, we wait for the doorbell to ring. We pay the neighbor boys in cash—and often in cookies too. Then their smiles get bigger. They were here one day when we had company sitting at our table. I heard the bell and opened the door, and they had already shoveled half the driveway. They were letting me know they were there. When they finished, I offered them some goodies, and our guests remarked on how polite and well-mannered they were. Then I shared part of their story. The youngest brother had recently gone through a battle with cancer. We gave thanks for the good news that his treatments were over and that he was home. Friends and neighbors had also gathered for a rooftop party at the hospital to encourage the young brother during that time. We talked about the many prayers and examples of care that were shared with the family. We thanked God that his family shows up when needed. 

Thank you, God, for everyone who serves their neighbors. Thank you for your family of believers who pray, encourage, and help. May we be people who show up for your sake. Amen.

They went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles . . . right in front of Jesus.
— Luke 5:19

Have you ever lost your house key? I am so thankful that our house has a keypad entry so that all I have to remember is a code. On that note, have you ever lost your way about how to connect to the church? A woman sat in a pew, wishing for more. She had been part of a church for most of her life, but she was searching for a fresh place of worship, where she could use her gifts and abilities. She also lived with some doubts and pain from past experiences. She came to our church one day and found God’s freedom to forgive. Now she often helps with washing dishes after a church dinner. She’ll soon find other ways to serve too. A church may close its doors and leave some of its members looking for a new door to walk through. Our church happens to be on a street where some of those people walk by. They can walk through the door and engage in conversation. They can also wash dishes and study the Bible with others. In the presence of Jesus they can find new friends. Two adults and four small children came in, trying to put life back together. Finding a place to be accepted is important. We welcomed them, and now they bring coffee and make desserts with their kids to share with everyone. Is there an access point that you can use to help bring someone to Jesus?

Lord, help us to see different ways of opening doors for others. Give us courage and strength to try and to succeed so that people can meet you. Amen.

They urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening. . . .” So he went in to stay with them.
— Luke 24:29

One of the intriguing details of this story in Luke is that the two disciples who were walking and talking with Jesus didn’t know it was him. I suspect that the impact of the previous few days had distracted them. These followers of Jesus had seen him die on a cross, and they had heard some women say he was alive again, but they couldn’t understand what had happened. As they headed back home, they were probably tired and disheartened. So when a stranger came up and began talking with them on the road, they wouldn’t have expected the man to be Jesus. Yet even though they were feeling worn and beat up, they had the presence of mind to invite this stranger in. They must have wondered how this stranger knew so much about the Messiah and his suffering. He recounted a history that was accurate and compelling. They might well have thought he was some kind of rabbi or something. But then, in their home, “when he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it,” and gave it to them. And suddenly they recognized that Jesus was right there with them. Then, just as suddenly, Jesus disappeared—and they realized they needed to share this news with their friends. I wonder if we too recognize Jesus when we meet a stranger on the road, invite them into our home, or have a meal with them. 

God, help us to see Jesus in the strangers we meet each day. Help us to hear their story and listen well. Help us to tell our stories so that others will meet Jesus too. Amen.