Weekly Devotionals - Steve
Now What?
04/27/2025 Devotional by Steve Grigg
Gal. 5:13 “Brothers and sisters, God has called you to freedom! Hear the call, and do not spoil this gift by using your liberty to engage in what your flesh desires; instead, use it to serve each other as Jesus taught through love.”
Thoughts:
Pastor Aaron’s first fill in from Sunday’s message was, “Because Jesus is risen, we anticipate His return today and in 1,000 years. Huh?”
My first thought was, am I living like Jesus has risen and will return? I recalled what Jesus said when the disciples asked how will they know when he will return. He gave his reply in Mark 13:34-37. In this parable, the master is leaving and has given each person in his household responsibilities to do while he is away. This included to watch for his return. Jesus is the master; we are the ones with the assignments to accomplish while he is away. In addition, we are called to watch for his return; to not be caught sleeping when he arrives without warning.
I think about back in school when we were told there would be a term paper due at the end of the semester. We were not told a due date, but the teacher advised us to work on the paper throughout the semester. Occasionally the teacher would remind us that we needed to be working on our papers. Near the end of the semester the teacher announced that we had one week before the papers were due. Some students had heeded the advice and worked on the paper throughout, so were ready for the due date. Some had worked off and on, so had to hustle to complete the assignment. The last group of students were not prepared. They turned in either a poor paper or an incomplete paper.
If Jesus said he was returning tomorrow, I imagine most of us could stay focused on our godly assignments for the day. Yet in reality, we do not know when his return will be. The more time that passes, the more likely we are to drift away in thoughts and deeds. It may be harder for some than others, yet we need to remember our assignments. We are called to know God intimately, to spend time in his word. We are called to worship, honor, and praise him. And as in Gal. 5:13, we are called to serve each other in love.
Staying on track with our calling may seem daunting, but I will say that daily time reading the Bible has helped me. The One Year Bible ministry has helped me read the Bible daily for almost a decade. Here are some verses to help you remember to stay focused on your Jesus assignments.
Proverbs 4:23 – Guard you heart above all else for it determines the course of your life.
Psalm 86:11 – Teach me your ways oh Lord, so that I may live according to your truths. Grant
me purity of heart so that I may honor you!
Psalm 19:14 – May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing
to you oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Conclusion: As Pastor Aaron’s sermon title states, what now?
If you want to get to know what God’s plan/assignment is for You, I encourage you to read your Bible daily. If you do not feel like you have time, try this. When you wake up read Proverbs. At work during a coffee break, read Psalm. During your lunch break read New Testament or Old Testament verses. At bed time all that is left is the remaining OT/NT verses. That is four times during the day that you spend some time with God. (And make notes so that if you have a question, you can remember it.)
How much does God love you?
Psalm 103:11-12 – For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Love God, love one another!
Steve Grigg
04/27/2025 Devotional by Steve Grigg
Gal. 5:13 “Brothers and sisters, God has called you to freedom! Hear the call, and do not spoil this gift by using your liberty to engage in what your flesh desires; instead, use it to serve each other as Jesus taught through love.”
Thoughts:
Pastor Aaron’s first fill in from Sunday’s message was, “Because Jesus is risen, we anticipate His return today and in 1,000 years. Huh?”
My first thought was, am I living like Jesus has risen and will return? I recalled what Jesus said when the disciples asked how will they know when he will return. He gave his reply in Mark 13:34-37. In this parable, the master is leaving and has given each person in his household responsibilities to do while he is away. This included to watch for his return. Jesus is the master; we are the ones with the assignments to accomplish while he is away. In addition, we are called to watch for his return; to not be caught sleeping when he arrives without warning.
I think about back in school when we were told there would be a term paper due at the end of the semester. We were not told a due date, but the teacher advised us to work on the paper throughout the semester. Occasionally the teacher would remind us that we needed to be working on our papers. Near the end of the semester the teacher announced that we had one week before the papers were due. Some students had heeded the advice and worked on the paper throughout, so were ready for the due date. Some had worked off and on, so had to hustle to complete the assignment. The last group of students were not prepared. They turned in either a poor paper or an incomplete paper.
If Jesus said he was returning tomorrow, I imagine most of us could stay focused on our godly assignments for the day. Yet in reality, we do not know when his return will be. The more time that passes, the more likely we are to drift away in thoughts and deeds. It may be harder for some than others, yet we need to remember our assignments. We are called to know God intimately, to spend time in his word. We are called to worship, honor, and praise him. And as in Gal. 5:13, we are called to serve each other in love.
Staying on track with our calling may seem daunting, but I will say that daily time reading the Bible has helped me. The One Year Bible ministry has helped me read the Bible daily for almost a decade. Here are some verses to help you remember to stay focused on your Jesus assignments.
Proverbs 4:23 – Guard you heart above all else for it determines the course of your life.
Psalm 86:11 – Teach me your ways oh Lord, so that I may live according to your truths. Grant
me purity of heart so that I may honor you!
Psalm 19:14 – May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing
to you oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Conclusion: As Pastor Aaron’s sermon title states, what now?
If you want to get to know what God’s plan/assignment is for You, I encourage you to read your Bible daily. If you do not feel like you have time, try this. When you wake up read Proverbs. At work during a coffee break, read Psalm. During your lunch break read New Testament or Old Testament verses. At bed time all that is left is the remaining OT/NT verses. That is four times during the day that you spend some time with God. (And make notes so that if you have a question, you can remember it.)
How much does God love you?
Psalm 103:11-12 – For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Love God, love one another!
Steve Grigg
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