People Matter Daily Devotional: September 20

A Word From God’s Word
Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. Joel 1:3 (NIV)

A Word From Mary Lou Hartnett
In this scripture from Joel, he is pleading with the people to not let the story of the plague of locusts that consumed Judah be forgotten. It is important in his prophesy that this be remembered as part of God’s plan to send the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and to come again to judge. He ends his story with words of hope and promise that those who trust in God will be blessed and live with Him forever.

Families matter to God. So many of the stories we know so well from the Word are about families and their relationships with God. These families, like ours, were far from perfect. But we tell and retell the stories of their struggles and joys. When we hear these stories, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness and His promise that He will never leave us regardless of our circumstances. The stories remind us that in spite of our messed up lives and dysfunctional families, He loves us unconditionally and gave His Son so that we might have eternal life with Him.

There are many references in the Old and New Testaments that speak of the importance of “telling our children” our faith stories. It is a gift to our children (and to our friends and family) when we tell stories repeatedly about how God’s love has been manifested in our lives and in the lives of our parents and grandparents and friends. It is often these stories that we recall when we need to be encouraged and comforted in knowing that God has and always will keep His promises to us.

Tell your children, a friend or family member a story today about how God has been faithful to you.

Mary Lou Hartnett is the Director of Care Ministries.

A Word With God
Heavenly Father, we give thanks this day for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ at First Trinity. We are one family together with all the saints who have gone before us. We especially thank you for all the faith stories that were and continue to be shared among us. Help us to share our stories as well. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.