Devotional - March 4, 2026

Scripture: Genesis 1: 9-13 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so.  God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.  Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.  And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

Last week the key word we focused on was "separated".  This week, I'd like us to think about the word "produced".  The word itself means to make or manufacture from components or raw materials.  To cause or bring something into existence.  I like using both definitions.  It is from the land (raw material or component) that the vegetation springs forth.  The vegetation is good because the land and all that is created before is seen and declared good by God.  When we look at our lives, our thoughts and actions, what are they the product of?  What produces them?  I hope they come from good places in our soul as well.  Unfortunately, not many of us cannot say they do.  At least, not entirely.  Jesus was clear about the state of our hearts (Matthew 15: 18-20).  Yet, those things have an origin too.  They are often times the product of the malice that resides in others.  When we look to address the evil in our lives, we need to do so carefully.  Meaning, it needs to be a process full of care.  The anger and resentment in our lives resides in painful memories.  Be sure to love yourself, even when you did not know better or were the victim, or both.  Love others too.  Loving does not mean excusing but instead understanding and reconciling.  And love God who got you through.  By doing this, you stop the spread of that evil.  You do not pass it along to others but to the contrary you end its effects and provide a healing presence that God can use to help others do the same.  I have seen many try to do the latter, without going through the former.  It doesn't work.  People may be thankful for another's efforts, but they see the issues still very alive in them.  Our God is able to be with you during your processing of pain (Isaiah 53: 2-5).  We ask, "why is there pain in the first place?"  It is a part of our world and experience, and God did not spare even Godself from it.  But, it's time is limited (Revelation 21:4).  When you deal with the evil in your life, you do the world a great service.  You eradicate that stream of evil from pouring into society, especially the society around you, and even into your own life.  That is the thing about evil, it poisons and is destructive to the carrier's life first.  One last thing, it is very tempting to only think of the bad elements that make up our lives.  Good flourishes there too.  Because we hate to feel bad or be in pain, we give it a higher priority and notice it more but know that does not hold true in terms of value.  It does not outrank the good.  In fact, by the grace of God, you carried on in spite of it; be proud of that.  Allow the goodness to flourish, feed it, nurture and cultivate it.  And, yes, celebrate with God it's goodness.

Pray with me.., Holy God how often we get waylaid by all the evil and hardship in our own lives and the world around us.  Quicken our spirits, revive us again O God.  May we sing songs of praise!  Hear us as we pray for our loved ones.  We ask Your blessing upon them and our church.  Help us O God to be the blessing You call us to be in Jesus' name, Amen.

God's peace,

Pastor Brian