January 11 – Bible reading for today from the One Year Bible:

This Christmas, we had the chance to be part of something amazing at Mount Hope Church. We were able to give away 500 gifts to members of our own church family as well as some amazing people in our community! It was the response of the people that stood out to me the most. From the kids at St. Vincent’s Home for Children to some dear couples that we were able to surprise… from tears of joy, the eyes of children getting an extra sparkle, to the smiles… I’m so thankful for the generous church family that I get to be part of.

While the people were various ages and at different places in life, they all had one thing in common: they responded. The Lord’s amazing grace—when it is gazed upon, when it is experienced firsthand—will always bring about a response. In today’s Bible reading, we see three great ways for us to respond to the Lord:

Worship.

When Abraham’s servant heard their answer, he bowed down to the ground and worshiped the LORD (Genesis 24:52). I love that the first thing this amazing man did, who knew his prayers had been answered, was to bow down to the ground and worship! Before he moved forward with the planned gifts he brought for Rebekah, he first gave thanks to God! The first always goes to God – the first ‘thank you,’ the first place we put our trust, and the first 10% of our income. Remember, Jesus said to seek FIRST the Kingdom of God. Why not make it your goal to have worship be your first response to news this year – from good news to bad news? He’s always worthy!

Obey.

We read today that in response to God’s command, Isaac stayed in Gerar (Genesis 26:6).  It seems insignificant, but this simple act of obedience opened up the door to God’s blessing on Isaac. Because Isaac trusted God, not his own understanding; because he followed God’s leading, even though it may not have made any sense to him, look what happened. When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the LORD blessed him (Genesis 26:12). Your seemingly small acts of obedience can open the door for big blessings from the Lord.

Have faith.

The disciples, just like us at times, faced a surprise storm. How did they respond? They woke up Jesus, shouting at Him. I think it’s safe to say that it’s a bad idea to wake up anyone by shouting! But it’s not the rude awakening that Jesus had a problem with; it was their lack of faith. “The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:25-26). Jesus had told them that they were going over to the other side of the lake. But when the disciples saw the storm they said, “We are going to drown!” When it looks like you are sinking… when it looks like things aren’t working out very well… respond to God not with what you see, but with what He said!

Happy Fasting,

Pastor Kevin