Daily Devotionals

January 4th, 2023

Read Proverbs 3:5 NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

Written by Missy Alvarado

I received a text on a Wednesday in mid December asking if I had chosen a word for 2022. I knew that I had and quickly searched my friend messages.  I knew I had discussed this with my friend who had moved away in 2021, but you see, I had forgotten the word!  After referencing my messages, I responded back with a confident text declaring “I did; it was obey.” My word for 2022 was “OBEY.” My next text came without any conscious thoughts “Would you like to write up a devo on this?” What? What was I doing? I had forgotten my word and I was going to write up a devotional? How on earth was I going to do that?

I went right to God in prayer.  “Lord, please forgive me, for I believe this was a selfish response.” You see, I really enjoy writing devotionals and I was afraid that I was responding in a self serving manner instead of from a God serving heart. I pulled out my journal and began to write “Lord search my heart and remove anything that is displeasing to you” Psalm 139:23-24. “I want to serve you with all my heart, all my soul and all my mind” (not myself). Matthew 22:37, Deuteronomy 6:5

I was ready to text or even call with my confession. I had totally disregarded my word. I felt ashamed, dishonest and like I had failed an assignment. I was fearful I would not be able to carry out this task I had signed up for. God helped me to search my heart and seek out HIS Word. He provided me with Scripture and reminded me of His love, grace and mercy.  I read, I prayed and I waited. I was given a deadline. I spoke to the Lord about this and agreed to trust in His guidance to write something to share or to back out in the next week. 

That following Sunday, I agreed to serve in KidZone with the 4th and 5th graders. This is not my specialty. I get nervous serving with the school aged kids – fearing they know more than I do about the Bible and that I won’t be able to answer their questions. But still, I agreed to serve. I agreed because I love God and I want to serve Him. I trust that He will guide me. And that Sunday morning He showed me the importance of being obedient by being a good and faithful servant. God reminded me that I can Trust the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding.

So, I served as the helper in 4th and 5th grade on 12/18. On this day one of the students shared that her greatest gift she received was being baptized. This led to further discussion about what it means to be baptized. A few minutes later, I was asked by another curious student “who is this God-guy, anyways?” With the Lord as my guide I was able to provide a very simple answer and encouraged this child to continue to ask questions and learn more about God and Jesus and to grow in her faith. 

I was very emotional about all that happened in the classroom that day and chose to share this experience with the leaders of KidZone. Upon sharing, one leader proclaimed “See what happens when you are OBEDIENT! God used you! Thank you for serving this morning. This is why we do what we do!”

And this is how God showed me HIS Word! All He asks of me is to trust in Him and OBEY His instruction! PRAYER: Thank you Lord, for choosing me! I am grateful for Your instruction. It is my desire to serve You in all that I do. I am excited for all that the new year brings and the ways that You will use me! I trust in Your plans. In Jesus Name, Amen