Month: October 2016

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PWTE Daily Devotion

“I See You!”

Tracy Aviary, Salt Lake City, Utah

God looks at his people with compassion.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.”
Psalm 33:18-19 English Standard Version

Is this Macaw’s eye accusing you, or comforting you?

Tracy Aviary, Salt Lake City, Utah
Tracy Aviary, Salt Lake City, Utah

We know both looks, don’t we? We know when someone is giving us THE eye and when someone is giving us the EYE. That is, we recognize when people are displeased with us and we know when a person looks at us with compassion.

Some of us believe that God is always looking at us with an accusing eye, as if God has his naughty and nice list and he’s checking it twice to see which outweighs the other. We see God pointing a finger at us and saying, “Shape up or else!”

There are others of us who believe God is looking at us with an eye of compassion. Life is overwhelming and we find comfort in knowing that the eye of the Lord is on us. Our hope is in God’s steadfast love.

The psalmist was a person who saw compassion in God’s eyes. However, the psalmist also knew the power of God’s eye to bring the counsel of those who did not fear him to nothing (v. 10). God is not some being who is incapable of justice. He is a God whose justice has been satisfied in his Son.

We see the compassionate eye of God because of Jesus’ eyes which looked down from his cross and said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Standing beneath Jesus’ cross we hear those words spoken over us. We are forgiven.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that through your Son we experience your eye of compassion instead of judgment. Amen.

Text and Picture Copyright Douglas P Brauner

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Deep Roots

Cannot be shaken!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“A man cannot be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.”
Proverbs 12:3 New International Version

My neighbor, Gary, has a beautiful grove of strong, tall, proud oak trees.  These magnificent white oaks have withstood many storms over many years.

oct-19-2But a few days ago we had a violent storm come through our part of Oregon.  And down came one of the biggest trees, split and uprooted where it had once stood.  What had seemed so indestructible now lay broken on the ground.

The Scripture above warns you and me that the wicked are like that great oak, strong and proud and seemingly invincible.  But those who choose to live without God, who despise His ways, will not stand.  They will be destroyed and will not stand in the day of judgment.

But take heart!  Those planted into God’s Word and with their roots in the Word made Flesh, will prosper.  Though storms will come and suffering and grief will test them, those who delight in the law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2) will live forever.  Our Lord Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death and by faith we are connected with Him, securely attached to the Rock that will not move.

You and I are tempted to put our trust in other things besides Christ.  Like the false prophets of old, many offer “peace and safety” in the false gods of this world, gods of Money and Power and Fame.  But do not put your trust in them or in anyone except the Prince of true Peace!  Come what may, those planted in God’s Word and His promises will live forever.  You will never be uprooted!

Dear Lord Jesus, I place my trust in You alone.  Thank You for Your protection and promises. Amen.

“… When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.”

Text and Picture Copyright Steve Nickodemus

 

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

Spare Parts

Park City, Utah

It’s amazing what God does with spare parts.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“There is one body and one Spirit– just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call– one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Ephesians 4:4-6 English Standard Version

Along the trail leading from our condo to Main Street in Park City was this out-of-place set of sculptures depicting fish. There was nothing to suggest that this was the place for these sculptures other than a small stream that ran nearby. Soccer fields, tennis courts and a skate park served as the backdrop for these odd-looking fish.

Park City, Utah
Park City, Utah

I took notice of these iron works because of their location. Having stopped to look at these fish, it didn’t take me long to figure out that they were fashioned from junked cars, tractors, and other formerly functioning vehicles; not the entire vehicle but only what was necessary to create the fish.

The parts had to be welded together since there was no logical reason for them to be connected to each another.

These sculptures are a picture of the body of Christ. There’s no clear reason for us to be welded into the community of God’s people, yet by grace we are Jesus’ body.

God the Father is supreme over this body.

God the Father is ever-present in this body.

God the Father is known in this body.

Planted in this world, our job is to be what God has created and redeemed us to be. We stand out in a world where we are surrounded by sin, destruction, and hatred. God calls us to be this body that others might see him.

Heavenly Father, you who work in and through your people, may we reflect the miracle of grace in your amazing sculpture, the church. Amen

Text and Picture copyright Douglas P Brauner