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2025 Change 3 18 25 2024 Encouragement In Times Of Anxiety 3 5 24 The Gift 12 26 24 |
2023 Words Matter 3 15 23 Knowing What To Say 12 9 23 2022 Restraining Worry 3 25 22 2021 Eternal Encouragement 4 8 21 |
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Tuesday, March 18, 2025 |
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Scripture: Luke 5:36-39 (NIV Study Bible) – “He [Jesus] told them [the Pharisees] this parable: ‘No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on the old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into the old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, ‘The old is better’.’” Message: This passage was confusing for me, but I have spent time contemplating and meditating on it. How can the new wine be worse, and the old wine better? Isn't “new” symbolic of growth, and isn't growth good? It occurred to me that we often find our comfort zone, and don't want to move past it. Change can be difficult. Recently, so many people in the world have experienced unwanted and forced changes, from the pandemic to a panoply of war and natural catastrophes. Many have experienced change in jobs, careers, marital status, and financial condition. There have been losses of loved ones, family and friends, some sudden, some gradual. We also should keep in mind that change may be positive: a new or renewed love, a promotion at work, or a new baby in the family. Pastor Chris and his latest calling come to mind. While we sometimes may view the old as better because we love what we had and were comfortable in the familiarity, upon reflection it seems to me that we are called not only to accept, but embrace the “new” with trust in Him. We are not in control and need to remember Who is. He calls us to pour our new wine into new wineskins, as hard as that may be at times, and be grateful for the opportunity to be alive, to grow and to thrive – in Him. Prayer: Father, please help us healthfully adjust to change, whether such change is by our own choice, or by circumstances beyond our control. Thank You for always watching over us and providing guidance, and may we be mindful with listening hearts, minds and ears to accept what comes our way, knowing that You are always by our side. Amen. Sue Kabbourim |
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Tuesday, March 5, 2024 |
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Scripture: Luke 21:34-36 (NIV Study Bible) - “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Message: Jesus encouraged His disciples when they were anxious and in despair. He willed them to pray they could escape that which they feared. Today this message resonates as our world seems disheartening and overwhelming with dire conditions, including human violence against others (neighbors) and destruction of our earth. In crafting this message, I was reminded of an exchange between Winnie the Pooh and Piglet in an famous A A Milne’s children’s story “Winnie the Pooh”1. Excerpts follow (with deletions and paraphrasing for brevity). Pooh tells Piglet he is scared. Piglet asks Pooh if he’d like to talk about it. Pooh opens up: “I’m anxious because I don’t feel like things are getting any better. I feel like they might be getting worse. People are angry, and they’re turning on one another. There seems to be no clear plan out of here, and I worry about my friends and the people I love. I wish SO much that I could give them all a hug!.” Piglet thoughtfully, simply said, “I’m here. I hear you, Pooh,” to which Pooh responded, “Aren’t you going to tell me not to worry and be anxious?” Piglet decisively said, “NO, but what I can do is make sure that you know I will always be here, to listen, to support you and for you to know that you are heard. I promise you that you won’t ever need to feel those anxious feelings alone.” At this point Pooh felt some of his anxiety loosen its grip on him because his friend was solidly by his side, and he was never more grateful to have Piglet in his life. Metaphorically, we are Pooh and Piglet is Jesus. Prayer: Our Father, please help us remember that You always listen and are always with us, even when we are anxious, fearful and uncertain. Thank You for sending us Your Son so we have this assurance. In the name of Jesus. Amen. Sue Kabbourim 1. “Winnie the Pooh” by A. A. Milne. 1926. Published by E.P. Dutton, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Public Domain since January 1, 2022. |
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Christmastide - Thursday, December 26, 2024 |
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Scripture: Matthew 25:35-36b (NIV Study Bible) – “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me.” Message: You may be familiar with a song entitled “The Gift”1 by Stephanie Davis, which is sometimes referred to as “The First Nightingale Song”. It has been recorded by several artists, but the version I particularly like was performed and recorded by Aselin Debison in 20022, which you can listen to on the “Official Audio” recording on the YouTube link below. It is a beautiful and touching rendition. The official lyrics can be found on Stephanie Davis’s website3,4 below. I believe the message is one of salvation and grace. The story is one of an orphaned girl, Maria, who had few material means but a full heart. She managed to save the life of a small, injured bird which, much like her, seemed helpless, when she found it on a roadside. The young child salvaged the wounded bird, spent her last peso on a small cage made of rushes and twine, and nourished it to health. When she went to church, presumably on Christmas Eve, other townspeople brought gifts of perfumes, diamonds and incense. Maria waited for others to leave before she entered. Kneeling by the manger she cried, feeling unworthy with nothing to offer but a ragged bird in a small cage. A voice spoke to her in the darkness encouraging her to let her offering, the bird, go free. The nightingale rose to the rafters on a healed wing and with a song that was fit for the King. In these days that at times can seem dark and laden with pessimism, this song seems bright and brings optimism, hope to my heart and tears to my eyes, every time. Prayer: Father, please let us be aware that we all have something to offer. May we do so as we realize our blessings. Our greatest Gift from You, God, is Jesus. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of song and Your ultimate Gift of Your Son. Amen. Sue Kabbourim 1. “The Gift” by Stephanie Davis. 1990. © Copyright. Published by © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. Permission not required for use of the Title. 2. “The Gift” sung by Aselin Debison in 2002 can be found on the “Official Audio” recording at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqaht41Wsyk 3. “The Gift” official lyrics can be found at Stephanie Davis’s website: http://www.stephaniedavis.net/the_gift.htm 4. Editorial comment: due to copyright restrictions we are not able to quote from the lyrics in this devotional. |
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Wednesday, March 15, 2023 |
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Scriptures: Proverbs 10:19 (NIV Study Bible) - "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." Ecclesiastes 5:2a (NIV Study Bible) - "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God." Message: From a young age, I have loved words and communicating. Our parents read to my sister, Patti, and me before we were able to hold a book. I articulated at an early age. Once I was able to read independently, I did so voraciously and much to my sister's chagrin, enjoyed school and studying. Patti did, however, enjoy it when I read to her. Today she also is an avid reader. Known as a "talkative" child, I was not discouraged from continuing to pursue my interest in and love of books, reading and learning, yet I was reminded that sharing too much might cause some people to stop listening. My dad used to say there is a reason God gave us two ears and one mouth. Lesson: listen twice as much as you speak. Dad was a wise man with a gentle and subtle way of sharing his advice. As an undergraduate English major at Oglethorpe University, I learned to be more succinct in my communication. My beloved English professor, Dr Bill Brightman, served as my mentor. He helped me hone my skills and further appreciate our gifts of language and literacy, and the importance of words, including the value of scarcity for effectiveness. I humbly admit I have still not mastered brevity. Prayer: Our Father, thank You for our ability to communicate. Please help us to be thoughtful in our use of language, and to be mindful that poorly chosen words can be unintentionally hurtful. May we use our words to be uplifting and positive in our world that sometimes seems overwhelmingly negative. I pray we use our words as well as our actions to give You all the honor and glory. Amen. Sue Kabbourim |
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Saturday, December 9, 2023 |
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Scriptures: Ephesians 6:19 (NIV Study Bible) – “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” Exodus 4:12 (NIV Study Bible) – “Now go. I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” Message: Not only during the Advent season but throughout the year we all are called to spread the Word, even when we may not feel adequately equipped. We can do this through our actions as well as our words. When we don’t know what to say, we need to listen for His guidance. As Pastors Chris and Will often say, “Lord, speak through me, and, if necessary, speak in spite of me.” We all can be better servants if we are less hesitant to trust that God will give us the right message to bring others to Him, through words as well as through deeds. Family Activity: Preparing for the Second Sunday, in Advent when we light “The Peace Candle” or “The Candle of Preparation”. As we prepare for the second Sunday, in Advent tomorrow, cut out or help cut out pictures that remind you of peace. Glue them onto construction paper, or poster board cut into the shape of a crown to remind you that Jesus is coming as the Prince of Peace. Prayer: Father, please help us recognize Your words. Continue to encourage us to be vessels in spreading the good news of Your Son Jesus Christ. Thank You for always being present and for all the blessings You bestow upon us. Amen. Sue Kabbourim |
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Friday, March 25, 2022 |
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Scripture: Matthew 6:34 (NIV Study Bible) – “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Message: Worry is something most of us confront regardless of how often and by whom we are encouraged not to do so. “Don’t worry, be happy,”1 is more easily said than done. We may worry about the state of our village or neighborhood, the state of our community, the state of our state, the state of our nation and/or the state of our world. Our concerns probably differ in size and scope, depending on our personal circumstances and where we physically exist on this Earth. Clean drinking water. Our personal health. The well-being and safety of our children, as well as our ability and resources to care for them. Relationships with family and friends. Employment. Finances. Differences of opinion. Rather than worry, shall we not pray? Praying is far more effective than worrying. Prayers may not always be answered immediately as we might wish, but can anyone attest to the effectiveness of worrying? I believe not. As my beloved late Mom used to say, “Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.” I try to live by that in faith and always remember the Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”2 Prayer: Our Father, we appreciate Your willingness to help us practice patience and kindness with ourselves and to others. We understand that You, not we, are at the helm of our lives. For Your love, gracious power and Your Son Jesus Christ, we are so thankful. Amen. Sue Kabbourim 1. “Don’t worry, be happy,” by Bobby McFerrin. 1988. © Copyright. Universal Music-Careers o/b/o Probnoblem Music. Title only permission not required. 2. “Serenity Prayer” by Reinhold Niebuhr. First used as a spoken prayer 1932. First published Circa 1943. Public Domain. |
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Thursday, April 8, 2021 |
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Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NIV Study Bible) - "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word."Message: In these times of uncertainty I reflect on the positive things my Mom (Gerry McDonald) would dwell. After her passing in July 2019, I came across some items in her belongings that clearly were important to her. For those of you who knew her, you witnessed she was the ultimate optimist. She was a true soldier of our Lord, a "people person" and a shining light who sought successfully to share her positive attitude with everyone she met, unconditionally. She had an incredibly open mind for a lady of her age, and she accepted people regardless of their faith, socio-economic status or poor choices they may have made in their lives. She lived her faith unabashedly yet wore it gently on her sleeve, eager to share and give. Each day of her life she offered a good word and a good deed, whether to a friend, a family member or a stranger or anyone in need. She remembered fondly U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur, and I found some notes she made of his quotations which I believe would be well considered by us all: "You are as young as your faith or as old as your doubts. You are as young as your confidence or as old as your fears. You are as young as your hopes or as old as your despairs." "For those to whom much is given much is required. It is not whether you get down, it's whether you get up." "Never a night goes by, be I ever so tired, but I read the Word of God before I go to bed." May we all be encouraged by the memory and strengths of my beloved Mom, the wise words of General MacArthur penned at age 80, and the Word of God as we look forward to better days ahead! Prayer: Our Father, thank you for being with us in these unprecedented times. Comfort those who have suffered great losses in so many ways, and please continue to strengthen us as we know not what is ahead. We do know You will be with us every step of the way, eternally. Amen. Sue Kabbourim |
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