E-votional - Don't Leave Home Without It!
January 12-18, 2004

Verse:

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.”

2 Peter 1:10 (NRSV)

Thought:

   "Don't Leave Home Without It." Those words apply to more than an American Express card.  The worst thing about travel is forgetting something.  You name it, someone has or will forget it.  Working in a health club in downtown Dallas as a seminarian, I saw it all.  Men going into the office without socks, women without hose and receiving phone calls from the locker room asking if we sold underwear.  Of all the items we could respond to there was one we could not, the underwear.  All I could do is say, "I am sorry."  Once a week, I would walk down the stairs to deliver deodorant, razors, toothpaste or a toothbrush.  To this end, there was a convenient store located in the underground tunnel, just below the club, which linked building to building throughout downtown.  As you prepare to go on a trip for business or pleasure, there must be some planning that will take place, otherwise you be without and ill-prepared.  Too many trips have been made without the items which offer warmth or alleviate the heat of the day and location.  The result of this misfortune lead to one of two things, being extremely uncomfortable or, doubling your efforts by buying or borrowing the things needed.  Oh, how true this is with our faith, our journey of faith.

   Hear the Good News, God is with us as we travel along our journey of faith.  In Peter's second letter, he shares with each of us, the nature of our call and journey.   God gives us everything we need for our journey.  He equips and strengthens us for all we will do and encounter, but there are still things we must do. "[Y]ou must make every effort to support your faith with goodness..." using the elements of faith you have come to understand by the grace of Christ.  Peter also reminds us to examine and access the nature of our call and our faith in everything we do, that we might be prepared to face all we will face.  Simply put, don't forget you faith and the nature of your journey just because you are already on it.  With so many distractions and challenges along our journey it is quite easy to lose focus of who you are, Whose you are, how you got where you are and where it is you are going.  This is our underwear of faith.  Peter's letter is a reminder to confirm what God wants you to do in your life and to keep firm in your faith.  The underwear of faith, don't leave home without it.!

Prayer: 

   Gracious God, You are fantastic, always there, leading me and I thank You.  You call me, You equip me, and You go with me.  Today I remember, but admit there are far too many times when I forget.  Forgive me.  Allow me to remember more faithfully.  In fact, please remind me, as painful as it may be, of Your call upon my life and allow me to confirm it regularly.  And by Your grace, lead me along my journey of faith. Finally, I thank You for all You have done in my life and all You will continue to do, for I come to You through Jesus Christ, my Lord, my Savior! Amen.

Grace & Peace

David Banks
Jewett United Methodist Church
PO Box 254
Jewett, TX 75846
(903) 626-4003

 

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