Praise In Every Season
Sunday, May 18
Psalm 148:1-10
Andi Long
Covenant Congregational Church
North Easton, Massachusetts
As I write this, it is fall in New England and the colors—especially that sunlit gold in the afternoon—are making my heart explode. This psalm reminds me of the beauty all around me as all creation is called to praise the Lord. From the sun and the moon to the mountains and the trees, everything around us is praising God. As I walk outside with these leaves catching my eye, I want to join in.
I’ve been reflecting on seasons, how God created such beauty that changes every few months in our part of the country and how my own life has shifted through seasons. Seasons of babies and teenagers. Seasons of busyness and boredom, tragedy and joy, pain and peace. Even though the landscape changes, it still echoes praise to the Lord. I also want to praise the Lord through it all—through every season, however it looks.
Lord, let the changing season remind us of the One who never changes, the One who is always worthy of our praise. Amen.
The Main Thing
Monday, May 19
John 13:31-35
Devyn Chambers Johnson
Covenant Congregational Church
North Easton, Massachusetts
My children are just old enough to be left alone for short periods of time. Before I leave the house, I give them instructions for what to do in my absence. It is usually some variation of, “Don’t answer the door and don’t cook anything.”
This is what Jesus is doing in today’s text. He knows he will not be physically with his disciples (or with us!) and they needed instructions for his absence. When he’s not physically here to instruct us, what should we do? “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (v. 34, NIV). He doesn’t say, “Build churches,” or, “Debate theology.” He says, “Love one another.”
Gracious God, help us keep the main thing the main thing. May we commit to loving one another as you have loved us. Amen.
Open Our Hearts
Tuesday, May 20
Acts 2:42-47
Meghan Dray
Covenant Congregational Church
North Easton, Massachusetts
“All the believers were together and had everything in common” (v. 44, NIV).
Whoa. Is that possible? Can we have everything in common with anyone? It sure doesn’t seem like it lately. Watch the news for ten minutes—all we see are differences ripping the world apart.
It is so easy to focus on our differences. The people in our church family are not all the same, but that is what makes the church family so beautiful. How many of us, at one time or another, have allowed differences to come between ourselves and someone else? Isn’t it amazing that we can trust God to heal these broken relationships?
Reach out to someone to share a meal, take a walk, or have a conversation. Know that despite your differences, God loves that person just as God loves you. God does not call us to be gatekeepers of our faith. God calls us to open the doors of the church, open our arms, and welcome others into the family.
Lord, open our hearts so that we can love others as you love us. Give us patience, understanding, and deep joy for this family of believers. Amen.
Moving Out In Mission, Unity, And Courage
Wednesday, May 21
Acts 4:23-31
Christy Barrett
Covenant Church of Thomaston
Connecticut
The different examples of unity of this passage stand out to me. The first group was united in their opposition to Jesus and included Roman rulers, Gentiles, and people of Israel (v. 27). This is in great contrast to the believers, who “lifted their voices together in prayer to God” (v. 24, NLT). They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the Word of God with boldness (v. 31). The Message translates “boldness” as “fearless confidence.” They all prayed and all received the same anointing of the Holy Spirit of fearless confidence. This second group was united in prayer, moving forward in mission and fortified with courage by the power of the Holy Spirit.
What person or group do you need to ask God for “fearless confidence” to share the Word with today?
Holy Spirit, empower us to share our stories, our faith, and our fearless confidence today. Amen.
God Is Inclusive: You And All Your Household
Thursday, May 22
Acts11:1-18
Jody Ludwig
Covenant Church of Easton
Connecticut
As a mother of four and grandmother of nine, I always feel a sense of relief and hope when I read of God’s promise to Cornelius that through a message from Peter, Cornelius and his entire household would be saved. The rules and customs of the Jews ran deep, and being inclusive of Gentiles was not one of those customs. The circumcised Jews, though they believed, argued with Peter about gathering with the Gentiles.
Then Peter calmly told his story of conversion and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all who heard, both Jew and Gentile. He recounted how the Holy Spirit worked through him to reach those who were not like them and how the Lord’s timing perfectly confirmed each step.
Today we cling to this promise: through hearing and believing we are saved, we and our entire household.”
Lord, I Lord, thank you for your faithfulness and for your promise to complete the good work you began in me and my family. Amen.
What Surprises You?
Friday, May 23
Acts 18:5-11
Nan Lingenfelter
Evangelical Covenant Church
Springfield, Massachusetts
Have you ever been doing what God wants you to do—and then suddenly God seems to say, “Put your blinker on, we are going to make a left turn.” Rejection from people is not necessarily a rejection from ministry. God may be saying, “Try something else.” For Paul, the something else was next door at Titius’s house! Why did he go there? Was it Titius’s invitation, or was Paul looking into the faces of the people, searching for someone with a kind smile, a hopeful look, an eager expression?
How did Paul connect with Crispus? Did Titius know him? Did Crispus seek Paul out? Did Paul suggest they meet at Titius’s home next door? I wonder how surprised Paul was at meeting these two men after being rejected by his people—and how God opened doors. Paul could have walked out of the city of Corinth and rejected all of them. But he didn’t. Paul allowed God to keep using him to tell others about Jesus.
God, help us to follow your lead and continue to speak your gospel boldly. Amen.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Saturday, May 24
Psalm 148:11-14
Heather Willis
Covenant Congregational Church
North Easton, Massachusetts
Our loving God has created everything around us. As a new flower blooms forth at the first sign of spring, praise the Lord! As you wiggle your toes in the warm, soft sand, praise the Lord! When you see the colored leaves dance in the wind as you walk along a winding path, praise the Lord! When a blanket of snow on a winter’s day covers the ground, praise the Lord!
God is our maker. Everything around us is part of God’s incredible, life-giving creation. It is not only our responsibility but our privilege to give praise and thanks to our Creator, our Lord, our Savior. We get to honor and praise God in all that we do. Let us embrace the opportunity to share God’s love! It is because of God’s gift to us and love for us that we can delight in the world around us.
Lord, thank you for being the author of our lives and for creating a beautiful world. May we praise and honor you by sharing your love with the people around us. Amen.
