The Burning Question:
It’s National Blame Someone Else Day. What was 100 percent your fault?
Morning Devotional:
I was sitting alone in a restaurant recently, picking at my lunch on a rather trying day. I was struggling with some personal stuff and doing my best not to cry in my stir fry. I was just about to leave when I heard something from across the room. It was the voices of friends calling out my name, friends I hadn’t seen in a long, long time. We were able to chat for a few minutes and in that short span of time, my mood lifted. In fact, my day completely changed – all because someone knew my name.
In John chapter 20, after Jesus was crucified, we find Mary Magdalene participating in one of the worst stressors in the world. She was weeping at the grave of a loved one. Mary was overcome with sorrow and in her pain, she heard a voice. She couldn’t recognize it through her grief but her grief would turn to joy because of one word. Mary. He said her name. He had risen and was right there with her. Her world – and ours – would never be the same.
In the middle of your trial and trouble, the Lord is right there with you as well. You can take comfort in the fact, and the fact that the God of the universe knows you personally, intimately, by name.
– Beth
Bible Quiz:
Question: What god did Naaman the Syrian apologize to Elisha for worshiping?
Answer: Rimmon (2 Kings 5:17-18)
Storytime: Headbutted by a Boston Terrier