For Such A Time As This 041720 – Jill Speicher
To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,
The symbolic language of the crucifixion is the death of the old paradigm; resurrection is a leap into a whole new way of thinking.
Deepak Chopra
For Our Prayers:
Jose’ Aponte sends gratitude for prayers and asks for continued prayers. Jose’ has been approved for three months of rehab at Conewago Snyder treatment center in Beavertown, PA. He will be transferred to there next Friday.
If you have a joy or concern you would like us to share and pray about, please call, text or email it to me. If you would like it included in our Sunday Worship sharing and prayer time, please share it with me that week by Friday morning.
Let’s Do the Wave Video Extended Invitation:
Contact Bethany at bhoffer@palmyracob.org or call/text 937-417-5938 if want to be included in an updated video that will be released in about two weeks. We would love to see you! Join the fun!!
Reminder:
If you know someone who does not have email, please call them, and offer to read this email to them and share this devotion with them. And, check in on how they are doing.
Today’s Devotion:
I am thankful to Devotional by Jill Keyser Speicher for providing today’s devotion. Jill invites us to rest, knowing that God cares for us. If you wish to respond to Jill directly, her email address is revjkspeicher@gmail.com.
Shalom,
Dennis
Scriptures:
Psalms 84:3 (CEB)
Yes, the Sparrow too has found a home there, the swallow has found herself a nest where she can lay her young beside your altar, LORD of heavenly forces, my King, my God!
Psalms 32:8 (CEB)
I will instruct you and teach you about the direction you should go. I’ll advise you and keep my eye on you.
Matthew 6:26 (CEB)
Look at the birds in the sky. They don't sow seed or harvest grain or gather crops into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth much more than they are?
Matthew 10:29-31 (CEB)
Aren't two sparrows sold for a small coin? But not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father knowing about it already. Even the hairs of your head are all counted. Don't be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.
Thoughts:
The scriptures noted above are the basis of the gospel hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow" written by Civilla D. Martin in 1905. Hopefully this is a familiar song for you because it seems very appropriate for the “shelter in place" days of COVID-19 that we are experiencing. In these strange days we may be afflicted with grief, fear and/or loneliness. This beautiful hymn, which is now in the public domain, comforts us with the following words:
Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home, when Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is he: his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.
I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free, for his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” his tender word I hear, and resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; though by the path he leadeth but one step I may see: his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.
Whatever our outlook, we can trust that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and helps us to find rest in God. Our journey of life is not easy. This is a lesson that I learned as I have traveled through my 60+ years. But even when we cannot bear our burdens God is there for us.
Prayer:
Please pray with me,
Our wonderful God,
Thank you for creating the birds of the air and all of creation. We come to you today for comfort and peace in these trying days. May you help us to take care of ourselves and help others as we are able. May we draw closer to you during this holy season and know that you are always near.
In Jesus name, Amen.
The symbolic language of the crucifixion is the death of the old paradigm; resurrection is a leap into a whole new way of thinking.
Deepak Chopra
For Our Prayers:
Jose’ Aponte sends gratitude for prayers and asks for continued prayers. Jose’ has been approved for three months of rehab at Conewago Snyder treatment center in Beavertown, PA. He will be transferred to there next Friday.
If you have a joy or concern you would like us to share and pray about, please call, text or email it to me. If you would like it included in our Sunday Worship sharing and prayer time, please share it with me that week by Friday morning.
Let’s Do the Wave Video Extended Invitation:
Contact Bethany at bhoffer@palmyracob.org or call/text 937-417-5938 if want to be included in an updated video that will be released in about two weeks. We would love to see you! Join the fun!!
Reminder:
If you know someone who does not have email, please call them, and offer to read this email to them and share this devotion with them. And, check in on how they are doing.
Today’s Devotion:
I am thankful to Devotional by Jill Keyser Speicher for providing today’s devotion. Jill invites us to rest, knowing that God cares for us. If you wish to respond to Jill directly, her email address is revjkspeicher@gmail.com.
Shalom,
Dennis
Scriptures:
Psalms 84:3 (CEB)
Yes, the Sparrow too has found a home there, the swallow has found herself a nest where she can lay her young beside your altar, LORD of heavenly forces, my King, my God!
Psalms 32:8 (CEB)
I will instruct you and teach you about the direction you should go. I’ll advise you and keep my eye on you.
Matthew 6:26 (CEB)
Look at the birds in the sky. They don't sow seed or harvest grain or gather crops into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth much more than they are?
Matthew 10:29-31 (CEB)
Aren't two sparrows sold for a small coin? But not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father knowing about it already. Even the hairs of your head are all counted. Don't be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.
Thoughts:
The scriptures noted above are the basis of the gospel hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow" written by Civilla D. Martin in 1905. Hopefully this is a familiar song for you because it seems very appropriate for the “shelter in place" days of COVID-19 that we are experiencing. In these strange days we may be afflicted with grief, fear and/or loneliness. This beautiful hymn, which is now in the public domain, comforts us with the following words:
Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home, when Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is he: his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.
I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free, for his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” his tender word I hear, and resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; though by the path he leadeth but one step I may see: his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.
Whatever our outlook, we can trust that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and helps us to find rest in God. Our journey of life is not easy. This is a lesson that I learned as I have traveled through my 60+ years. But even when we cannot bear our burdens God is there for us.
Prayer:
Please pray with me,
Our wonderful God,
Thank you for creating the birds of the air and all of creation. We come to you today for comfort and peace in these trying days. May you help us to take care of ourselves and help others as we are able. May we draw closer to you during this holy season and know that you are always near.
In Jesus name, Amen.
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