People Matter Daily Devotional: September 22

A Word From God’s Word
Does it sound like we’re patting ourselves on the back, insisting on our credentials, asserting our authority? Well we’re not. Neither do we need letters of endorsement, either to you or from you. You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. 2 Corinthians 3:1-2 (The Message)

A Word From Christine Hartnett
I walk by the building every day, every day I feel pulled to go inside, but the fear that I am not worthy, keeps me away. For when I walk in, I’m afraid that I’ll see all of these “happy” people with their lives all “put together”, their problems all solved and the answers to life’s questions seeming so simple. Then there is me: struggling to find my way in a life that is dark, complicated and lonely. I am drawn to walk through the doors of the church, but fear pulls me away!

One day, the desire to open the door is greater than my fear. I open the door only to be filled with an overwhelming sense of warmth, peace and comfort that does not come from the people, but from something much more powerful: it is the presence of God.

Often as Christians, we can appear to others to have all the answers, the perfect life. It is easy to forget that the peace and joy we feel, does not come from us, but from our faith in Christ Jesus. It is Christ living in us and working through us that provides us the peace, joy and comfort that people see. Our hope and prayer is that First Trinity can be a place where Christ dwells in and works through its people; a place where people feel the warmth and comfort of Christ as they walk in the door.

Christine Hartnett is a Kingdom Quest Leader.

A Word With God
Dear Jesus—today I ask that You fill me with Your Holy Spirit and that You use my life to spread Your Word. Amen.