First Presbyterian of Spring Lake

Loving Lord God, thank you for allowing me to live another day; to see another sunrise; to hear the songs of the morning as the birds sing and the squirrels play; to feel the air of the fresh new day on my skin; to sit in your presence and drink in your glory. Thank you for your overwhelming and unconditional love. Lord, as I live into today, I pray you will stay by my side, guiding and uplifting me; filling my mouth with songs of joy and praise; giving my heart gladness at the wonders of your creation all around me. I pray that all the things I do and say will bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Verse of the Day
June 24, 2026

“I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.” Psalm 7:17 NIV

Today’s Devotion
June 24, 2026

“Worries”

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7

What do you do with your worries? We all have them. We can’t help what comes into our heads, but once there, we have choices. The trouble is worry feels productive. It feels like we are attempting to solve something. It feels like we are getting close to a resolution, but all we are really doing is repeatedly ruminating on all these negative scenarios in our heads. Situations can cause us to be concerned, shocked, apprehensive, cautious, and even horrified. But after our initial reaction, we can reflect, review the situation, and take action. Worry, however, just worries. It doesn’t stop; it goes on and on unless we do something to make it quit. We need something bigger than our worries to take care of them. That is why Peter says you can give all your worries and cares to God. Why? Because He is God, He is big enough! And because He cares about you! Can you feel your body relax? He cares for you. Can you feel the worries leave? How wonderful. Today, don’t hang on to your worries one more second. Give them to God. He cares about you.

Gracious Father God. Thank you for caring so deeply for me. I am bringing all my worries and cares to you. Help me to leave them there at the foot of your throne. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Gracious Heavenly Father, I come to sit in your presence; to hear your gentle voice speak to my heart; to feel your loving touch deep inside me. Lord God, as I begin this new day, I pray that you will flood me with your grace, mercy, and forgiveness for any and all the sins that I have committed against you and others. Fill me with the strength to stand strong and firm in you and your Son Jesus. Help me to strengthen my faith and walk. Help me to leave the anchors that hold me in my past behind me so that I might live the words of, “Let go and let God.” Embolden me to share you and your Word with all that I meet. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Verse of the Day
June 23, 2026

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and will not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV

Today’s Devotion
June 23, 2026

“A Fresh and New Perspective”

“After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God…” Acts 15:7-10a NIV

As Peter takes the stage he reminds those present of his experience with Cornelius (a Gentile centurion in the Italian regiment), who with his entire household had been saved and received the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:1-48). Peter makes several key points:

* God spoke to him (Peter) in a dream specifically about the Gentiles;
* God, who sees the heart, showed He accepted the Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit;
* God makes no distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles;
* God purified their hearts by faith.

He goes on to pose the question, "If God did all of these things to show His will and intention, why do you test Him?"

Do you see yourself doing that sometimes? God hands you a particular set of circumstances that should change your previous view of the way things work, and instead of going with God's new direction, you stubbornly do it the old way?

I once read about a psychologist who, at the stroke of midnight each New Year's Eve would remove his clothes and jump into his pool, emerging at 12 am with the New Year, fresh and renewed no longer trapped or burdened with the past. What ideas have you held onto that God wants to change? What are you still burdened with from the past? For the Jews it was clearly their traditions and Laws that God wanted changed. He wanted them to embrace a fresh and new perspective. It was not God's desire to abandon the law but to see a return to faith and Christian living. Where is God calling for growth in your understanding of Him?

God is always teaching us to re-think or re-consider our perspective on a particular subject. What is He asking you to re-consider right now? Is it how you treat a particular group of people based on their age, ethnic makeup, or where they live? How does God want you to be different? Will you begin the change now? Identify one area God wants you to rethink your perspective. Spend some time this week in God's Word discovering His principles on that subject. Choose to take several practical steps in your life to change your perspective on that subject.

Faithful Lord God, I pray that you will open my heart and mind to see how you want me to see. Fill me with your wisdom to see the changes that I need to make and give me the strength to leave the past behind me and to strive to go where you lead. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.