I just got thekjd.net set up on micro.blog! I’m so pumped. The Knee Jerk Devotional is officially on it’s own site with it’s own email subscription list! You can also follow it’s dedicated RSS: thekjd.net/feed

Because it’s on micro.blog it will show up on all the channels autmagically too.

Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45; Genesis 21:1-7; Hebrews 1:8-12

He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.

Reading all these passages together it strikes me this morning that I don’t necessarily have faith in any of this.

Do you?

Faith is “trust”.

When I take a deep look at much of how I live it is marked by lack of trust. I think, when I am honest with myself I live too much of my life as though God will not remember his covenant promises. If I did believe it, I think I would likely have a greater patience in prayer. I intellectually ascent to the things in these passages. I believe them. But, I don’t know if I faith in any of it.

There is critical distinction between faith and belief. Belief is something of the mind. Faith is rooted in trust which is displayed in action.

When was the last time that I prayed long and faithfully for something? Do I rest in the knowledge that God will work out all things for the good of those who believe? Too often I do not.

This morning I am wrestling with the following, “Do I have faith in any of this?”

A bible open on an a gray countertop

Good morning! May you enter this week choosing the way of love, even loving your enemies.

A coffee mug that says, “Aroha” which is “love” in Māori in front of a welcoming fire.

Good morning! If you’re looking to connect with a faith community I’d love to invite you to our home this evening.

We gather tonight at 5:30 pm for dinner.

6:30 we will spend time in the Scriptures, communion, and prayer.

Our passage: Matthew 5:38-48

9016 Parkland Dr, Ypsilanti, MI 48197

The garage will be open, come on in!

Good morning! May you connect deeply with an authentic community today. #MorningBlessing #MorningMug

A mug of coffee that reads “and so begins the adventure” on a gray table next a coaster that reads, “acts 13 network”

When ball games get delayed two hours and you’ve driven three hours away from home, you end up at Barnes and Noble to drink bad coffee, read, and write.

Journal and a Starbucks coffee cup on a table

Good morning! May you find some rest today. #MorningMug #MorningBlessing

A white mug that reads, “Panama city beach” in a cozy living room in front of a fire

Do you ever have moments where gratitude washes over you?

I love it when that happens.

Scrabble tiles that spell out grace on a white background with blue flowers on the left side.

Psalm 22:23-31; Genesis 16:1-6; Romans 4:1-12

Genesis 16:1-6, which is the opening of the story of Hagar and Ishmael. This tells about how Abraham’s wife wanted a child so badly that she offered up her slave Hagar to Abraham and Hagar conceives. They took the promise God had offered in Genesis 15 into their own hands.

Romans 4:1-12 talks about Abraham’s faith being credited to him as righteousness.

When you read those two passages side by side it is shocking.

Abraham acts in a way that is anything but righteous. He impregnated a woman that is not his wife and he then leaves this woman to be abused by his wife.

Yet, Romans 4 reminds us that this righteousness that was credited to Abraham was not based on anything he did. It was based solely on the promise that God made. His righteousness was credited to him before this scene plays out.

Think about that.

Abraham is deeply flawed, deeply sinful, and in many ways pretty awful. So was his wife.

Yet, he is considered righteous in spite of this.

God’s grace is so overwhelming that even a man like Abraham can become the spiritual father of the nations. God’s faithfulness is greater than any man’s. God’s grace is beyond anything that we can ever imagine.

I am reminded by this passage that I don’t need to take things into my own hands. I can trust the God of grace to bring his plans to fruition. When I trust God there is rest.

Good morning! May you persevere with joy today. #MorningMug #MorningBlessing ☕️

A coffee mug that reads, “New Zealand” in front of a fireplace with an inviting fire.

I watched Iron Claw yesterday. It was intense, slow, heartbreaking, and absolutely fascinating. I think I enjoyed it. 🍿

There’s not much better than a Red Wings victory over that team from Colorado. #LGRW 🏒

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