DAILY DEVOTIONS

Thursday, April 16

Pastor Mary Martha reaching out in hope and love and prayer to you today.

On Easter Day we had the blessing of many children in worship.  Each child brings to us the presence of God in their own way.  The children of faith bring to us the gift of hope from God.   They are living witnesses to God’s presence among us in faith, hope and love.   One small child was particularly excited on Easter morning and had quite a lot to say.   She was hoping that she would find the golden egg when looking for Easter eggs with her family later in the day.  Just the idea of finding that golden egg made her so incredibly happy.   There are many reasons for us to have hope and be happy – even in the midst of the hardships of life.  The children remind us not to miss the joy of life in the moment of the present.   Let us pray for the children today.   God bless them.  And you. 

Friday, April 17

Pastor Mary Martha sending you Easter blessings today.

The resurrection is forgiveness.   Jesus comes from the empty tomb with the gift of forgiveness for all of humanity: for his disciples who had abandoned him, for the crowd that turned against him, for the soldiers who crucified him, for the temple authorities who arrested him, for the world that rejected him.  Jesus is forgiveness.   In his resurrection peace we find strength to live in forgiveness.  Jesus does not take revenge on those who harmed him.   Instead, he comes to them with reconciliation and peace.   These same gifts are with us today.   As we have been forgiven, so now may we forgive others.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.