Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 16

by Beth Jones

By Name

Did you get a chance to look at the prayer vigil during Pilgrimage weekend? Did you find yourself standing in front of that large sheet of poster board in Heritage, reading through the list of names, looking at the clock to see who was currently praying—praying for your fellow Pilgrims, for your small group, for you personally?

Perhaps you saw a familiar name, someone you know, someone who has been an encouragement to you throughout your journey. Wow. Someone who knows me cares enough about me and my relationship with God to take time out of their weekend to pray for me by name.

Perhaps you saw an unfamiliar name, someone you don’t know, someone you may possibly never meet. Wow. Someone who doesn’t even know me cares enough about me and my relationship with God to take time out of their weekend to pray for me by name.

Did you feel it? When you lay in your bunk on Friday night in silence, wondering if you would ever fall asleep, someone was praying for you by name. When you opened letters of affirmation (and packages of tissues), someone was praying for you by name. When you tore the sandpaper off your wrist and nailed your obstacle—your burden—to the cross, someone was praying for you by name. And when you walked down the candlelit path lined with angels, when you received the bread and the cup, when you communed with God in the prayer chapel? Someone was praying for you by name.

Did you feel it, friends? Would you believe me if I said that it didn’t start there? The moment you dropped your registration in the mail or clicked submit online, people began praying for you by name. People who didn’t know you, people who had no idea what challenges you faced in the weeks leading up to Pilgrimage—they came before the Father on your behalf, asking Him to begin working in you before you even drove through the gates of Camp Bethel, asking the Spirit to move through you and give you just what you needed to hear.

Won’t He do it?!

Pilgrimage is utterly soaked in prayer, and if you were blessed at all by the talks or the worship, the music or the small groups, know that you were blessed by a God who heard every one of those prayers—prayers poured out for you by name.

As we approach the end of these devotions this week, I encourage you to continue to pray for one another, for your small group members, for your Christian community. I encourage you to continue to pray about where the Lord is leading you to serve. And in ten months or so, when you receive an email asking if you’d be willing to take a time slot on the prayer vigil for Pilgrimage 2020, I encourage you to say yes—yes to praying for the next group of Pilgrims by name.

Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 15

by Kenny King

Above all, I want you to know you are loved and lovable. I want you to engage with the world from a place of worthiness. I hope you learn belonging and joy. We will practice courage in our family by showing up and honoring vulnerability; we will share stories of struggle and strength. We will learn compassion by practicing with ourselves and each other. Together we will cry, face fear and grief, and I’ll want to take away all pain, but instead I will sit with you and teach you how to feel and overcome it! As you are on your journey in this world, I won’t be able to live, teach, or love perfectly, but I will let you truly see me and I will truly see you ... and we will celebrate each step of this journey together! The path is long in distance, but we’re always close at heart! I love you with all I have and all that I am! Remember we may not have it all together, but together we have it all!

As we travel on our journeys, people just want to know we care and are there for them. We don’t have to solve their problems, just being able to listen or affirm them is all they want or need. Like I said, they don’t care what we know; they just want to know we care.

Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 14

by Terry Harris

Hello, Pilgrims.

I don’t want to scare or alarm any of you. I think it’s only right that I tell you. It’s my duty.

Just in case you haven’t figured out: over the last couple of weeks, you have indeed picked up a new spiritual discipline. It’s a fact.

B.P. (Before Pilgrimage) — Did you wake up excited to check your email? I know that I didn’t. My emails are usually work related: something is broken, there’s a production machine not running, and they want it fixed now.

A.P. (you got it, After Pilgrimage) — I look forward each day to checking my email, to see what God has to say through these daily devotions. It helps me remember how I felt God’s presence there that weekend. I also love reading how God revealed Himself to you by the comments that you are responding with. God is good.

At this rate, you just might pick up another good habit that could turn into another spiritual discipline.

Just be careful out there!

Your Brother in Christ,
Terry

p.s. — I ran across this warning. Let us know if you suffer any of the losses or if any of the symptoms apply.

Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 13

by Stephanie Connelly

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
–Matthew 6:21

I have a treasure chest in my cottage home. On the outside, it looks like an ordinary box. It is rectangular in shape with a lid that fits snugly and it is not very large. Now, if a thief were to break in my cottage and look for valuables to steal, he may open this treasure chest, but he wouldn’t bother taking anything out of it. To the thief, it would just look like a box full of old photos, old letters and cards, and a few little trinkets — worthless to him.

But not to me. This box—this treasure chest—is PRICELESS! You see, it holds a bunch of photos (yes, photos used to be something that you actually printed off on paper) of my family, of dear friends, of special places that I have been. Looking back through them brings such wonderful memories and gratitude always fills my heart. It also holds a ton of cards and letters that I have received over the years. Many of the letters in my treasure chest are affirmation letters that I received at Pilgrimage. These affirmation letters are reminders of how much I am loved — by God (We love because He first loved us! 1 John 4:19) and by my family and friends. The words of affirmation in these cards and letters brought tears of gratitude, of joy, of overwhelming unconditional love when I read them for the very first time. And even after days, months, and years have passed, re-reading those affirmation letters restores me, building me up, offering me hope, making me laugh … bringing joy to my heart! Their value is beyond compare! They affirm that I am a treasured child of God!

Remember how I shared in my talk that the only antonym for the word “affirm” is “deny”? I cautioned you not to deny yourself the loving truths and the sweet words of affirmation contained in the letters you were to receive. Then, as you received your bag of letters, you heard the words “LISTEN and RECEIVE.” Today I would like to remind you not to deny yourself the joy, the encouragement, the uplifting of your spirit that you can experience any time that you choose — by re-reading the affirmation letters that you received the weekend of Pilgrimage. They contain a richness that the things of this world can never provide. They are—in essence—love letters from God!

Re-read them, savor them, TREASURE them! LISTEN and RECEIVE — LISTEN and RECEIVE!!!

Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 12

by Anne Mitchell

Homeward Bound

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” John 14:1-2

How often do you just get tired of how things are going in the world we live in? Welcome to the family of God. I say that because I believe none of us are exempt from feeling weary at one time or another. I have traveled on long journeys and so looked forward to getting back home, to a place that I am familiar with, a place that I can momentarily close myself off from the troubles of this world. When I see the star sitting up on the mountain, I know I'm home. The Bible tells us that this place is not our home; we’re just passing through. Imagine that, here we thought we were citizens of the United States. No matter how long we may be here, we're just passing through. Actually, there is a song by that title sung by Lyndal Randle. Have a listen; it always blesses me. https://youtu.be/RioUKQvW0Q8

I love reading the gospels. Jesus gives us all the instruction we need for a safe journey home. No matter what may happen as we journey through this life, our eyes and hearts need to be focused on Eternity. I often use the John 14:1-4 scripture at celebration of life services, but sad to say, for some, it may not be a celebration of the lives they've lived. It can be easy to get distracted by the cares of this world, but when we hold onto Jesus with all that is within us, He gives us strength to endure.

In the gospels, we've seen so many occurrences of the love, authority and power of Jesus. Whatever darkness you may have to walk through, He is always there to light the way. Wherever you may be in your journey, know that you are never alone. Jesus is on the shoreline with arms stretched out saying "Come to me, you can make it." If by some chance you think you can't make it, He will come to you; you only have to call out to Him. No mountain is too high, no valley too low, no sea too deep that He can't get to you. He dispels the dark ravages of diseases, heals the broken heart, and catches our tears.

When it is time to leave this world, we won't need a realtor to search for a home for us. Jesus is already there, in the presence of our Father, preparing that place for us. All we have to do is stay on the highway to heaven: Route 66 (in case you're wondering, that's all 66 books of the Bible). Don't get distracted. Keep your eyes focused on eternity and I'll see you at home; we're all just pilgrims here.

Love and Blessings,
Anne Mitchell

Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 11

by Kenny King

Ministry in Action

God has placed us on this journey for a reason. It is up to us to live it for all it’s worth. He has mapped out our paths and places for us to spread the Good News. In my talk, God placed me where He has wanted me with kids, with seniors, and now with bikers. I don’t know His plans until after He has placed me where He wants me. We must carry Him out of the four walls of the church into the world for the lost to see who He is and what He can do for them.

But we can’t forget that we need the community of other believers to refresh our spirit. Doing the work that God has planned for us can make us weary and tired. So we must go to Him to rejuvenate our souls so we can continue on our journey. God does have a plan and we may not know what it is and who He wants us to touch. So continue in the journey with no hesitation and see how God works in your life.

"Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good." Psalm 25:4-7

Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 10

by Beth Jones

Good Good Father

When I was in high school, I got a speeding ticket. I was driving to a youth retreat at Summerdean Church of the Brethren when an officer suddenly appeared in my rearview mirror somewhere around Rocky Mount. My heart sank. The worst part wasn’t the moment I saw the flashing lights or the moment I realized that I definitely was not getting out of there with just a warning. No, the worst part was in the moments that followed—the moments of knowing that I had messed up and needed to call my parents.

The youth led the church service at the end of the retreat that weekend, and my dad drove nearly two and a half hours to be in the congregation. I spent that entire service anticipating his reaction. Would he be mad, upset, frustrated? Would he yell, take away my keys, shake his head in disappointment?

Quite the opposite, actually. He looked at the ticket for what seemed like an eternity … and then he hugged me. I came to him with embarrassment and shame over a mistake I had made, and instead of lecturing me on how I should know better, he pulled me into his arms and said that we would get it sorted out — together.

Religion says, “I messed up. My dad’s gonna kill me.” But the Gospel says, “I messed up. I need to call my dad.”

I saw that quote online recently and it reminded me of the Good, Good Father skit during Sunday morning worship at Pilgrimage. Have you ever found yourself face down on the ground with nothing to give but a torn, crumpled heart? Have you ever feared that you were too damaged, too sinful, too far gone for God to even see you? Or perhaps worse—have you ever feared that He could see you and wanted nothing to do with your brokenness? I messed up. My Dad’s gonna kill me.

As Elaine shared in her talk on God’s grace and friendship, when we cry out in our shame, our fear—our wet, dirty, complete lostness—God doesn’t come saying, “Well, how did this happen?” or “Look at the mess you have made of yourself” or “I knew you would mess up!” The God who chases us down, fights ’til we’re found, leaves the ninety-nine? He takes one look at our mess, our mistakes, our crumpled hearts — and He says that we are worth His sacrifice. He says there’s no shadow He won’t light up or mountain He won’t climb up coming after us. I messed up. I need to call my Dad.

Friends, we serve a good, good father — one who sees you and fights for you. He is perfect in all of His ways, and you are so deeply loved by Him.

Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 9

by Nancy Stultz

Christian Community

Weary, defined by Merriam-Webster by these words: exhausted in strength, endurance, vigor, or freshness; having one’s patience, tolerance or pleasure exhausted

Have you been weary? What is the source of your weariness? Is it a physical weary or a mental weary?

Is the source of your weariness something that’s out of your control? Is there anything you can do about it?

My weariness was definitely mental and out of my control. It was only when I turned to the Lord and His words that was I able to overcome it. Through scripture I was encouraged to change my thinking and attitude, which was something I could do, to get a fresh perspective on the cause of my weariness. God is so good to use His words to help us when we are in situations that seem hopeless. If you are weary, I encourage you to read God’s word. Let Him show you the way to overcome whatever it is that is causing your exhaustion. He desires to speak to us and only asks that we be willing to listen expectantly. Plug in your iGod, quiet your mind, open your Bible, and listen for His whisper.

After sharing with you this weekend about my weariness, which was partly because of messiness in my Christian community, my devotion on Monday morning included this verse from Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Then on Monday afternoon as I was finishing up my Bible study lesson for our Monday night study, guess what verse it had me read? Yep, Galatians 6:9! So, I read it again and this time I read on through verse 10 which says, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (aka-Christian community).” God is good!!

In Him,
Nancy Stultz

Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 8

by Terry Harris

Spiritual Disciplines

I hope you guys left Pilgrimage with the desire to make spiritual disciplines, or spiritual exercises, a vital part of your daily routine. It’s how we learn, grow, and mature in our faith. By seeking out and setting aside time to intentionally focus solely on Jesus Christ, that is how we draw closer to Him.

In 1 Corinthians 3:1-2, Paul says he has fed them with the “milk” and not the “meat” of the word. Just like newborn babies cannot digest meat when they are first born, they have to start out with milk. When we first become Christians, we need to start out with the “milk,” or the fundamentals, before we can move on to the “meat.” The Bible is full of God’s promises to each of us, and a treasure chest of jewels to discover; it also holds the answer to any question that life throws at us. It is the meat to sustain us.

By practicing spiritual disciplines, we learn more and more each day. Every time we read scripture, God is able to reveal things to us with a deeper understanding. Every time we pray, God is able to speak to us as we seek His guidance and direction. Every time we worship Him, we get the opportunity to show Him how much we love Him and thank Him for all that He has done, and is going to do, for us.

In my talk, I just mentioned a few spiritual disciplines. What spiritual discipline(s) have you found that work best for you? Is it early in the morning, middle of the day, or late at night? Is it quiet time spent in your prayer closet? Is it time spent with others in a group setting? Please share with the group some of the things you do that might help the rest of us find a new way to revamp our spiritual workout plan so we can flex our spiritual muscles.

I will start with what works best for me. I get an hour for lunch. So each day, I go out to my truck and turn on the radio. Dr. J. Vernon McGee has a “Thru the Bible” series that goes through the entire Bible over a five-year span. It comes on station 95.5 FM at 12:30 p.m. He alternates between books of the Old Testament and New Testament. There is also a five-book set of Dr. McGee’s commentary to read along with the radio or just to help study scripture. He has just started in the book of Isaiah. Even though Dr. McGee passed away back in 1988, his program is still going strong. One of my favorite quotes from him is this:

“The Bible. Know it in your head. Stow it in your heart. Show it in your life. Sow it in the world.”

Your Brother in Christ,
Terry Harris

Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 7

by Heather Barton

Obstacles

Each of you is so very special to me and I want you to know I was truly blessed beyond words by your presence, love, sharing, and with-ness at Pilgrimage.

Romans 5:1-5 says, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

Glory in our sufferings? Really? Yes, really! Remember our awesome God sees each of us and remains with each of us through every storm or struggle no matter the magnitude at which it impacts our life. While it is hard to think of our obstacles as something we should praise God for, it is something we are challenged to do in our walk of faith. “Even when my strength is lost, I'll praise You; Even when I have no song, I'll praise You; Even when it's hard to find the words, Louder then I'll sing Your praise. I will only sing Your praise...” is one of my favorite songs by Hillsong United on our Pilgrimage CD.

During Pilgrimage, you heard me say how purposeful God is, and of course, He made sure to reinforce that even more as I experienced our special weekend as a team leader. I hope you each feel how God is at work in you and how He purposefully placed you at Pilgrimage to grow your faith and/or to see you through an obstacle you’re facing right now.

As we have now come to a week after Pilgrimage, you may have had things pop up that are trying to test your faith or separate you from God and shake your faith. Some of you may be still on that mountaintop where it has got no hold on you and you know God’s got this. If you’re feeling something pulling you away at all, trust that our gracious God sees you and remains in control in the eye of the storm (another one of my absolute favorites on the CD) :) Those things that attempt to separate and destroy our faith are also the very things that shape and strengthen faith. You’re on your way to an unshakable and unbreakable faith! Hold tight to God, let go of the world, praise as you pray, and know that He is for you!

As Stephanie and I made the journey back to Richmond, God gave me a wink and I wanted to share it with you all. About 30-40 minutes after leaving camp, my brother called me full of life, yet also with a caring calmness. He tends to text rather than call, so it was amazing to hear his voice. It was even more amazing to hear his thankfulness for support and cards he gets daily, his love for a church community, and his eagerness to live out the purpose God has in store for him. God’s wink was just what I needed to close out my Pilgrimage experience, and I cannot praise Him enough.

Your sister in Christ,
Heather Barton

Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 6

by Sarah Stultz

Do you hear me?

I'm chuckling, sighing, and grimacing just a bit to myself as I write this. My son, the one who is almost the very spitting image of his father, said to me the other day, “Mom, the soccer team you signed me up for … they don't play against professionals right? I mean, there are other kids just like me who have never played before? Do you think the coach will be patient with me? Do you think I will be good at it? Do you think after two weeks, I'll know what I'm doing?”

He is a worrier with a capital W.

I looked at my son, the one who is almost the very spitting image of his father, and said, “Caleb, you are going to be fine. There are other kids who will be learning. You are great at running. I think you will enjoy it.”

To which he replied, “Okay. I'm not at 100% believing you, yet, but I think I'm getting closer.”

Yikes. There it is: my son, the one that is almost the very spitting image of his father. “I'm not at 100% believing you, yet, but I think I'm getting closer” - the believing part - well, that is where he is almost the very spitting image of me.

At Pilgrimage, Stephanie challenged us to listen and receive words of true affirmation spoken over our lives, that affirmation is something that originated with God and is nothing new to Him. I quickly nodded my agreement. ”See, Lord, we've come so far,” I thought to myself. After Pilgrimage was over, a dear brother in Christ approached me. “Sarah, you did a really nice job. You have a natural way of putting people at ease.” I just smiled and nodded to be polite, but the doubts were still loudly swirling through my thoughts. But he wasn't finished. “But I worry you are not hearing me. You really are doing a great job.”

There it was. A gentle admonishment, spoken in love. Truth. Yes, he was right. I wasn't really hearing it, but thanks to his gentle prompting, I started to then. Caleb's confession that he wasn't at 100%, but he was getting closer, was the last thing on Tuesday that helped to cement that truth to me. Maybe you are there in the not-quite-100% place yourself. May I gently encourage you to believe what God says instead of what your doubts say? To look for His “God-winks” or sometimes His voice spoken through others? May we always be quick to believe God's truth over the enemy's lies!

“It's okay, Caleb. God will help you get there, but you have to hear His truth and accept it first. I'm learning how to do that, too.” And if he does that, that's an image of his mother I will be proud to share.

Love to you!
Sarah

Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 5

by Dean Harris

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

First off, I wanted to say that it was a joy to meet and get to know all of you this past weekend. I know God has touched our hearts in more ways than one.

I talked to someone this past weekend who told me that they weren't sure what their gift/gifts were, and nobody ever told them. After they received their affirmation letters, they realized what they were. Their heart was healed. Their faith was restored. Their love for God grew. I believe that happened to all of us in one way or another.

I know that many of us are still on this emotional high and we came back in the real world where someone or something will try to bring you back down. Always remember to keep the Spirit of God in you and pass along that special gift/gifts. When problems arise and things get tough, keep your head up high and your heart open to God. Things will get easier. God does amazing things and will continue to do so.

Your brother in Christ,
Deano Harris

"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing."
–1 Thessalonians 5:11

Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 4

by Anne Mitchell

Jesus in the Gospels

NEVER GIVE UP

She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.” “Good answer!” He said. “Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter.” –Mark 7:24-30

Sometimes it seems like Jesus doesn’t answer our prayers, especially when we feel like we’ve been asking for a long time. We often fail to remember that our timeframe of accomplishment seldom comes in alignment with that of Jesus. We have been prone to giving up quickly, thinking we won’t get an answer and in some cases, we think Jesus just doesn’t hear our prayers.

Mark 7:24-30 gives an account of a Syrophoenician (Gentile) woman who came to Jesus seeking deliverance for her daughter. She already knew there was a possibility her request would be rejected because of who she was. How quickly many of us would have been offended at being called a dog and gone away angry but this woman persisted in her petition to receive deliverance for her daughter. Her persistence paid off as Jesus responded to her insistence that even the dogs were allowed to eat the scraps. “That’s a good answer” He said.

It may seem like we are without faith when we keep praying for answers to the same situation but until we receive a definite answer, we must continue to pray and not grow weary. Whatever troubles your heart today, you can continue to bombard heaven until you receive an answer, even when its not the one you want.

Nothing is too small or too great that Jesus, our Savior, is not concerned about it. If it concerns us, it concerns Him, and His great desire is that we talk to Him about every aspect of our lives. We can depend on Him to always give the best answer.

Lord Jesus, help me to come before your throne boldly with my prayers. Help me to pray without ceasing until I receive that breakthrough answer and your will is fully accomplished in my life. Amen

Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 3

by Elaine Craddock

God's Grace and Friendship

I had saved this devotion about God & friendship, but did not record where I read it. I am sorry that I cannot give the author/source, but I pray that it is as uplifting for you as it is for me.

C. S. Lewis said about the beginning of friendships, "What? You too? I thought I was the only one!"

Friendships are important to me as I am sure they are to you as well. Through the years, I have been blessed with some very good friends and, after many years, those friendships are still going strong. Those relationships are precious to me.

Friendships between Christians are especially strong because of the bond we have in Christ. You see, we have something special in common. We can encourage and lift each other up in a way that the world cannot understand. We empathize with each other, comfort, share, laugh, and even cry.

The Bible talks a lot about our relationships with each other. Romans 15:5-6 "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded toward one another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify god, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Galatians 6:2 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Proverbs 27:9 "Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel."

Friends are one of the ways God takes care of us. We need all the things friendships need from other human contacts such as encouragement, companionship, love, honesty, loyalty, understanding, laughter, and so much more. In fact, friendships are like recipes of goodness for us. They bake up something special. Maybe you have heard the saying, "In the cookies of life, friends are the chocolate chips." Friends are the sweet extra in life and even sweeter is the friendship among believers in Christ because not only do we have a relationship with each other here on this earth, but our friendship will last for eternity!

There will be disappointments in life from those you thought were your friends. But you can always rest assured that we have a Friend that will never leave us, nor forsake us! A Friend who will comfort, encourage, love, and protect us! That Friend is Jesus!

Hold onto your good friends! Take good care of them and let them know what they mean to you – including our best Friend of all, Jesus!

Your friend,
Elaine

Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 2

by Stephanie Connelly

This truth was given to me in secret, as though whispered in my ear.
– Job 4:12 (New Living Translation)

I shared with you during my talk on affirmation about how much I love words! I wanted to share some thoughts with you about the silence we experienced on Friday night and about our amazing iGods that we received.

The first thing I want to bring to your mind and heart is that each one of those iGods was individually made just for you. Each one was truly lovingly handcrafted for you with great attention to detail. Our God is a God of detail!

Secondly (you know how I love words), since the “I” in iGod stands for “individual,” I looked up the definition of “individual”. Merriam-Webster defines the word as “existing as a distinct entity” and “a single being as distinguished from a class, species, or collection.” A synonym for the word is “unique.” So I hope you can see that God has indeed created YOU as a unique, single, distinct being! There is NO ONE like YOU!

I don’t know if you remember how I shared about my love of the history of words as well. While I was scrolling through the definitions, I noticed an entry that was labeled as “obsolete,” meaning that at one time, this was a definition of the word “individual” … but that it is no longer used. That definition was “inseparable.” I’m not sure how that definition faded into obscurity, but what a POWERFUL reminder that our GOD is inseparable from us! We are HIS and HE is ours! Nothing can separate us from HIM! I hope that “this truth was given to you in secret, as though whispered in your ear” when you had your earbuds in on Friday night and you were plugged in to our INSEPARABLE GOD!

I hope you continue to use your iGod when life gets hectic and noisy and busy and you are able to steal away some place private and listen in secret to the God who created you, the God who sees you, the God who hears you, the God who knows you, and the God who loves you – individually and unconditionally!

LISTEN AND LEARN of HIS WONDERFUL LOVE!
Stephanie

Pilgrimage Devotions 2019 | Day 1

by Greg Broyles

Know Yourself

News flash: The world didn’t change while we were at Pilgrimage! There is still all the muck that was there on Friday. Mondays are often hard, but especially after Pilgrimage. One of the Pilgrims, Chris, commented Sunday morning that she was “home sick”. She realized she had to go home today, and it made her sick! It’s hard to come back down off the mountain, isn’t it? But take heart – even though the world didn’t change while we were gone, we did!

Coming into this weekend at Pilgrimage, I thought I knew myself. However, being in the presence of God continually changes who we are. As the weekend progressed, I could more easily hear God speaking to me. I know God loves me, no doubt, but He seemed to show me more deeply the depth of that love throughout the weekend. Isn’t that just like God, to constantly surprise us with joy as He shows Himself more fully to us?

On Friday night, we were challenged to think about the voices which attempt to define who we are – the voice of man, satan, and God. I hope you took that seriously and have been honest with yourself in answering that question. I truly believe that as the weekend went on, many of your faces changed. The sternness, weariness, brokenness, and seriousness were replaced with smiles, twinkling eyes, and a peculiar radiance. I can’t help but believe that was due to your listening to the voice of God. I mean, let’s be honest – He was shouting at us!

Know this … you are loved! You are valued! You are seen! You are known! As good as Pilgrimage was, it’s nothing in comparison to what God has in store for those who “know” Him and love Him. Heaven is going to be a hoot!

God loves you,
Greg