Devotional

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Philippians 3:20-21

“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” Hebrews 13:14-15

“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4

As followers of Jesus, we are passing through this life. Through Christ’s salvation, we are granted citizenship into heaven where we will spend eternity with our Creator. We will one day depart this fallen world and dwell in a place where God has prepared for us. No eyes have seen, no ears have heard, no mind could conceive what He has prepared for us in heaven. Yet God knows not everyone will choose to be with Him. As we share the Gospel, we are in fact extending an invitation to spend eternity with God. The more people we invite, the better. We want heaven to be filled with grateful believers.

In this world we will have trouble, but Jesus has overcome the world. All we ever suffer because of sin, Jesus is with us every moment. He helps us overcome our pain, and we grow stronger and wiser. This world is temporary, as our eternal home is heaven. The sufferings of this world will shrink into insignificance as we transition through glorification into eternity.

However, this life is as good as it gets for non-believers, for they will step into eternity apart from God. No light, no peace, no hope, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. We must display God’s love in this fallen world. We must tell the world about Jesus. God prepared for us a house, and in this house there are many rooms. We need to fill these rooms with people, with those who may have not even heard about Jesus yet. God called us with this task to build His kingdom, and together we will make more people heaven-bound.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me your perspective. I was born into heavenly places through the work of your son and power of your spirit. I am your child. I am a citizen of your kingdom. The citizens of this world fall to my right and to my left. They are wounded beyond repair, dead in their sins. Yet, the same fatherhood and citizenship you have given to me, you also extend to others, that they may not perish and that they may have eternal life. Use me as an ambassador for your kingdom. Give me opportunity to share the immunity you offer for the consequences of sin. Unveil the eyes, ears, and hearts of the lost, that they may see the rulers of this world for what they are and see you for who you are. You are my King forever and ever and you will be my guide even to the end.

Scripture Memorization

“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” Hebrews 13:14-15

Photo Credit: Bill Zielinski @zphotobc

Music Credit: Faith Hill – There Will Come A Day

Devotional Written by: Sambi Katano

Prayer: Pastor Deborah Downs

Devotional

“¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. ²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— ²³ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” Colossians 1:15-23

The apostle Paul did not know Jesus prior to the road to Damascus, well, at least not personally. Through his impactful encounter with Jesus, Paul’s eyes were opened (literally) to see that the Son is the image of the invisible God through whom God manifested fully. All things were created through Him, and for Him. He holds the universe together. He was and is and will always be. He is the head of the Church, in which we are the body. He reconciled mankind through His blood shed on the cross. He is the beginning and the end. Paul had come to know Jesus personally.

The reason the gospel (good news) is so compelling, is the fact that every person on earth aside from Jesus has fallen short of God’s standard. Through the death of Christ’s body, those who put their faith in Him also died with him. When He rose from the dead, we also rose into a new life. Jesus took the penalty for our sins, and now we are seen by God as holy, without blemishes from our sin. We are reconciled, and now we will spend eternity with our loving God. Once we were His enemies, and now we belong to Him. Paul persecuted followers of Jesus, but after his encounter with Jesus, Paul dedicated the rest of his life to serving Him, and we can too.

Prayer

Jesus, I am constantly in awe of the ease with which I can approach you in prayer. I do not merit such freedom and liberation and yet you sacrificed that I might have it. It was not merely a plan you came up with to mitigate the error of my ways. It was your design from the dawn of the universe. You made all things and sustained all things, that I might be empowered to approach you in all things. Forgive my lapses in faith and judgment when I rely on my own strength and banish you to the fringes of my circumstances. Forgive me of my fear that prompts me to put my faith and trust in the systems and powers of this world and the things that I can see. Remind me daily that my hope is in forces unseen, in your invisible and eternal nature. Jesus, make your image and design visible to me each and every moment. May I always keep you front and center, face to face, as you intended us to be.

Scripture Memorization

Colossians 2:9-10 “⁹ For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”

Photo Credit: Bill Zielinski @zphotobc

Music Credit: Shane & Shane – In Christ Alone

Devotional Written by: Sambi Katano

Prayer: Pastor Deborah Downs

Devotional

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:1-14

How can we not appreciate the beauty of God’s creation? Everywhere we look, there are scenes that can take our breath away. Nature has been created with an intricate detail and purpose, and we are still discovering new things even today. The sun, moon and stars were placed specifically in their place, and they follow mathematical laws that were also put into place by His hands. Science cannot explain why the universe follows these laws, but we know the One that made it this way. The scope of what we can observe is so vast, from atomic particles to the galaxies, and He’s got the whole world in His hands.

It’s no wonder that all glory, honor and power belong to the LORD. Who can we trust but He who made the heavens and the earth? He created us to depend on Him, to worship Him, and to learn His ways. His commands are indeed radiant, and His decrees are firm. They are what keep us from willful sins that they may not rule over us. They warn us, and by keeping them, they reward us. God knows the deepest part of our hearts, and understands our weakness. He created a path so we can be reconciled. There is no one else who is so faithful and just. There is no one like our God. Let His word rule over our hearts, so that we may be pleasing in His sight.

Prayer

Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe. All creation declares the beauty of your majesty. The days reflect your radiant light, the nights mirror the deep thick darkness of your mysteries. Days fade into night and nights recede into the light of day. You bring all seasons into their fullness. Teach us to love both what we understand and do not understand of your nature. May we not fear sunsets and endings as they retreat into the fog of your mystery. May we look to what is ahead – the dawning of a new day full of adventure and discovery – with great hope and expectation. And may all reveal your grace and glory.

Scripture Memorization

Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

Photo Credit: Bill Zielinski @zphotobc

Music Credit: Red Rocks Worship – Echo Holy

Devotional Written by: Sambi Katano

Prayer: Pastor Deborah Downs

Devotional

“For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” Mark 9:49-50

Scripture is filled with metaphors to teach us things, like a season of our lives being compared to a desert land, dry, scarce of resources and water, and extreme temperatures. It just may be appropriate since our congregation lives in the desert. Seasons through the desert will increase our dependence on God. The Israelite people didn’t have food while wandering the desert, and God provided manna and quail for them. However, the desert does have its own ecosystem and resources, like plants filled with water, and rock salt deposited in dry river and lake beds. Yes, you can harvest salt in the desert.

Salt in scripture represents things like purification and preservation. The Levitical sacrifices were salted in that manner. We are called to be the salt of the earth. We are to season one another through trials and temptations (salted with fire) to add flavor to our character and spirit, and to season the world with the good news of Jesus. If you find yourself lacking to do this, you are not alone. Salt that loses flavor can only serve as salt if given more salt from others. This is why we are encouraged into fellowship and peace with each other. We can season the world in the flavor of Jesus together.

Prayer

Lord, there is a desert season in which I feel entirely depleted. My soul hungers and thirsts, melting with sorrow, and nothing seems to comfort or satisfy. And yet it is in this season when your provision is most evident. In this season, I learn to trust and cling to You. In this season, I am strengthened to withstand temptation and persevere through trials. In this season, I am refined and purified for good use. Wash me clean, break me apart, and separate me from all impurities – make me the salt of the earth. May my heart be open to what the desert teaches and may my relationships, opportunities, and conversations be seasoned with Your goodness.

Scripture Memorization

Colossians 4:5-6 “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Photo Credit: Bill Zielinski @zphotobc

Music Credit: Brooke Ligertwood – Desert Song

Devotional Written by: Sambi Katano

Prayer: Pastor Deborah Downs