Devotions
Devotions are short reflections on bible verses. The reflection may help us understand the verses and historical context better, remind us of important teachings of Jesus or help us to see a story from a different perspective.
Calvary's weekly devotions are written by Pastor Zach, Deacon Tanya and members of Calvary. They are emailed out weekly, posted here and on our Facebook page. The most recent is below. To view more, visit our Facebook page.
Wednesday, September 21st
Today's devotion is a gift from Michael Decker, based on Proverbs 21:10:16. Blessings for the day.
Proverbs 21:10
16The wage of the righteous leads to life,
the gain of the wicked to sin.
From childhood I remember categorizing people as givers or takers. Though at an early age I doubt I knew the difference, only that if you acted selfish, “this is my toy, not yours!”, was not someone I would seek out to play with. I have been told that I always had a cheery disposition about me. In the mornings when I would see my parents I would ask them if they had a good sleep because I was eager to tell them I had good sleep, which I mostly did. This seemed to always put a smile on their faces, except my sister. If she had a good sleep she wouldn’t admit it.
I like helping people. I like the feeling you get, knowing a simple act of kindness puts a smile on their face, especially when they don’t expect it, because it is meant to make them feel special. You matter to me. I admit that I usually enjoy it when people don’t know at first that it was me. I don’t do it to be difficult; it makes people think something nice could have come from anybody in their lives and makes them think good of everyone they know ( I know, it’s a little twisted).
I want to believe that all people of faith believe that. It could be from hoping and praying no ill fortunes fall on anyone, to actually opening our homes to the less fortunate in their time of need and everything in between. I’m proud of what our “little” church does for the communities and others inside of it as well as outside of it. It makes me feel good and more importantly, I pray it makes recipients feel good and look a little kinder and friendlier towards everyone in their lives.
Dear Lord, give us the wisdom to recognize those in need and the willingness to put our strengths forward to help them whenever and wherever you guide us.
Wednesday, September 14th
Today, Christians around the world celebrate Holy Cross Day. With Good Friday serving as the solemn day for acknowledging Jesus’ death, Holy Cross Day celebrates the joy we share in Christ bringing salvation to all. The festival also praises the wisdom of the cross—the wisdom that God had to defeat death—so its placement near the beginning of the academic year makes sense!
Today is also a day to lift up female leadership in the church. Holy Cross Day came about because of Empress Helena who, in the year 326, is said to have discovered the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. Celebrations of Holy Cross Day since then not only celebrate the cross, but the “mother of Christianity,” as Helena has been called.
“Holy Cross Day demonstrates the piety of centuries of Christians who sought to honor the cross,” scholar Gail Ramshaw writes. And so, together, we join our voices in prayer with Christians around the world:
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross so that he might draw the whole world to himself. To those who look upon the cross, grant your wisdom, healing, and eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, now and forever. Amen.