Daily Devotional for November 9, 2022

In yesterday’s Daily Devotional, I wrote about the need for laughter and not taking ourselves too seriously.  In response, Adrian sent the following message.  I should have seen this coming.

But before Adrian’s message, let me put it in the proper context.

Every first Sunday of the month, when we celebrate Holy Communion, Adrian shows up for worship without eating breakfast and absolutely famished.  So, after the service ends, Adrian always goes to the altar and takes the leftover bread.

The first time I saw her take the bread I said, “Adrian, you know you can’t do that.”  She said, “Yes, I can.  The Bible says you are supposed to take care of poor widows.”

Realizing I was not going to win the argument and remembering the bread used for Holy Communion is considered a Means of Grace and Adrian needed as much grace as possible, I decided to let it go.

Now to the message Adrian sent yesterday.

“Tom – when I read today’s devotional, it dawned on me that God had you write that one just for ME!!! Sunday, when I left the church (with a purse full of communion bread), I was chastising myself for laughing too much and having too much fun at church instead of being quiet and reverent. I even asked a friend to pray for me to be more reverent on Sunday mornings. I feel so much better now!!! Thank you, God, for permission to laugh at church.
(I also thanked our police person for not arresting me for always parking in a space saved for “Visitors”)” 

Yep.  That’s the kind of church I serve – a group who truly needs grace.  But who doesn’t?

Did you know the only reason you are saved is because of God’s grace?  It is a gift that cannot be earned, merited, or deserved.  The only thing we can do is accept this beautiful act of love that comes from God and live our lives in response to it.

In explaining this to the Christians in Rome, Paul said, “Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”  (Romans 3:24 NLT)

So, the next time you kneel at the altar and receive the bread and juice, which represents God’s undying, never-ending grace and love, remember it’s a gift.  Accept this gift and be free.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, thank you for the beautiful gift of grace.  Help me live my life as a person who knows your wonderful gift has freed me.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

As you begin this new day, remember you are saved by God’s beautiful grace.  And while you may not need as much as Adrian and I do, you still need it.  It’s the only way to heaven.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins