Athens First UMC Devotions

Thanks for listening to the Athens First UMC Daily Devotions. Today’s devotion “Presence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder” comes from Martha Aenchbacher, Minister of Congregational Care. 

“I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, because of all that the Lord has done for us, and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely”; and he became their savior in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old." Isaiah 63:7-9 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

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“You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!” Psalm 139:15-17  

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 “…But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Hebrews 9:26 

“’Let it go!’…and know that I am God.” 

Disney Plus did me a great favor when they released Frozen 2 early for our children to enjoy during quarantine. My boys will still break out in a lively rendition of Elsa’s “Let It Go” on a moment’s notice. If you have not heard this song, let me know. I have three boys who will gladly share it with you.

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“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. “ John 3:17 

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I looked at my husband across the kitchen island and uttered the words, “Today was not a win.” He instantly knew I was referring to the fact that I had had a tough day, a desire for a redo, a day that felt like a loss. We often use that phrase in our house to explain how we are feeling. 

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God’s love is so grand that Paul has been utterly convinced that nothing in all of creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

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Are you familiar with the bumper sticker image of the family – the stick family? We’ve all seen them as decals on the back window of the van in a variety of configurations, various persons, and even some pets. Some dressed like Star Wars characters… Perhaps you have a stick family on your vehicle…

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With ordinary bread, and an ordinary cup, we recognize the extraordinary power and love of God. We remember the same love that sent the bread of heaven to the wilderness anew each day. We remember the same love that sent Jesus so that WHOEVER should come to Jesus will never hunger or thirst again. Jesus’ words allow us to think about tangible things—bread & hunger, juice & thirst—in a brand-new light.

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