December 30, 2024 — Sixth day of Christmas

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10 NIV).

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2 NIV).

“If you think your talents are simply for you to make a lot of money, retire, and die, you’ve missed the point of your life.” That is a quote from a pastor I have admired for some time. It is not profound – it is not unique – but it says it all. G-d gave you talents to benefit others, not yourself. And G-d gave other people talents that benefit you. That’s the way life works. We are all part of the body of Christ, and not all of us can be the foot or the head. There are no insignificant people in the family of G-d. None! You were conceived and shaped to serve G-d, as well as the family of G-d, and that means we will be tested and confronted with situations where we are challenged to share talents G-d gave you.

It is the sixth day after Christmas, and as the year 2024 is so short now, so are my devotions. But remember this, whether you are a musician or an accountant, a teacher or a cook, an IT Specialist or a window washer, an Uber driver or a barista, G-d gave you those abilities to serve others. When G-d made you, he made an investment in you, and he expects a return on that investment. Don’t sit on your talents – use them.

Pastor Dave

December 29, 2024 — Fifth day of Christmas

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, endowing with wealth those who love me, and filling their treasuries.” Proverbs 8:17-21

I don’t know about you, but sometimes my priorities are hard to figure out. Between family and church and the occasional soccer obligation, my to-do list gets to be longer and longer. I feel frustrated with myself, and sometimes others may feel frustrated with me.

“Seek me first,” is a call from G-d we hear often — and that call echoes throughout the entire Bible. Deuteronomy 4:29 and Proverbs 8:17 both assure us that if we seek G-d diligently with our whole hearts, we will not be disappointed. But still, finding G-d can seem elusive.

In fact, when we seek G-d with our whole heart, we soon discover that we see G-d everywhere and in everything—and that is a wonderful, beautiful discovery. G-d is never lost even when we feel alone or not sure of where we are or what we should be doing. When we seek G-d first and seek to make G-d’s will for our lives our first priority, our other priorities may then be that much easier to manage. When we acknowledge G-d’s goodness and faithfulness in all things—and especially the things we struggle with—we can better understand and follow Jesus’ footsteps.

On this fifth day of Christmas, many of the toys’ children have opened on Christmas morning are already tired, some are broken, and others will never again see the light of day. They may be forgotten, but G-d does not forget you. Seek the Lord, while you have the breath to do so, and you will find the Lord everywhere.

Pastor Dave