Providing Christian resources from the YMCA past and present to nourish inclusive, equitable work in our diverse and global neighborhoods that build up healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Pray alongside Jesus for unity in our world, including amongst all of us who believe in Christ and strive to love, serve and care for all who God brings into our life. Join this seven-day series available online via YouVersion and reflect with other believers on ways we can keep our eyes and hearts centered on Christ Jesus.
It’s based on the Good News that Jesus prayed in the Garden on the night he was arrested: “that they all may be one.”
Meditate on the faithfulness of Jesus to the world – use this link to access the devo:
What will you do to build a healthier spirit in these 12 days of Christmas? Join this YMCA devotion series about Jesus changing hearts and lives!
Click on the link to get started on Day 1 of 12!
“When we find ourselves in complicated and controversial situations where we lead and serve, we can be distracted by worldly conditions. But we may also be like Joseph and go early and often to God in faith and prayer.”
Chosen By God: Becoming Christ’s Holy Presents for the World // How can we be more like Jesus, whom God gave to the world to love, care and serve sacrificially? // Revisit with us 12 stories of the Lord transforming people in the Holy Land, inspired by experiences YMCA leaders recently had there. //From this we learn ways to put Christian principles into practice through Jesus “the living Stone” who handcrafts us into precious gifts of peace for all.
[an YMCA onPrinciple Devotion Series – inspired by 1Peter 2:4-5]
Written by Steve Tarver, CEO & President YMCA of Greater Louisville, Kentucky
Looking back to my travels through the rocky hills of Judea to Bethlehem, I wonder what it was like for Joseph and Mary to be somewhere out there, nearing the end of their exhausting trip.
Unmarried, a controversial pregnancy, forced by the government to go back where their family came from, poor, alone, uncertain, maybe even scared – Mary and Joseph approached Bethlehem amidst complicated legal and moral questions.
What in the world is one to do? What would you have done if you were Joseph?
Joseph faced unwanted dilemmas: logistically – where would they stay; personally – how will he care for Mary and their soon to be born son, Jesus; ethical – what happens when the town finds out we’re not married; religious – is this what God is calling us to do?
Where does faith fit in? I’ve faced many unwanted dilemmas in my life and career with the YMCA, not always being sure where to go for guidance and how faith fits into the complicated situation.
What did Joseph do? Did he panic or abandon those under his care in fear of what others might think of him?
If Joseph had bailed on the situation, no one would have likely even blinked given the cultural values at the time – though, for Mary, it could have had deadly consequences.
From a worldly lens, it must have seemed counter to every natural tendency he had at that time.
Joseph received clarity based on an angel’s visit to him in a dream; he had the patience and mindfulness to listen and believe.
He chose to walk alongside pregnant Mary in love.
Accepting the clarity of the message from God, Joseph was able to serve as a righteous man.
When we find ourselves in complicated and controversial situations where we lead and serve, we can be distracted by worldly conditions.
But we may also be like Joseph and go early and often to God in faith and prayer.
May we have the patience to seek God first in our dilemmas and, through faith, find righteousness.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Gospel according to Matthew, 1:20-21 NIV
How can the Spirit of Christmas live on in you? Let this YMCA devotion series encourage you in the days to come!
“The greatest gifts in my life come through obedience to God’s call upon me, and the greatest blessings come when I trust the Father to make me who he wants me to be: holy and present.”
[Day 2 of 12 – YMCA onPrinciple Devotion Series – inspired by 1Peter 2:4-5]
Chosen By God: Becoming Christ’s Holy Presents for the World // How can we be more like Jesus, whom God gave to the world to love, care and serve sacrificially? // Revisit with us 12 stories of the Lord transforming people in the Holy Land, inspired by experiences YMCA leaders recently had there. //From this we learn ways to put Christian principles into practice through Jesus “the living Stone” who handcrafts us into precious gifts of peace for all.
Written by Eric Ellsworth, CEO/COO YMCA of the Cayman Islands
Imagine Zechariah, a good man, and Israelite priest, going about his duties in the temple when an angel startled him with an unbelievable message: your wife will bear a son in her old age.
Instead of rejoicing at this good news, Zechariah could only doubt it.
What would you have said? Imagine Zechariah leaving the temple, stumbling along the stone-paved street, headed home, stunned and in disbelief.
I remember walking along that old street while in Jerusalem, and now I try to put myself in Zechariah’s sandals – trying to make sense of an unbelievable message – from an angel, regarding your wife who is past child-bearing years, about a son who will prepare Israel for the presence of the Lord.
Lord help us in our disbelief!
What does this look like in our lives?
For my work in the YMCA, we often have opportunities or promptings to help people or create transformational programs that “put Christian principles into practice.”
Too many times, though, we answer the call with, “I am too busy,” “where will the money come from,” or “my boss won’t approve.”
Any number of objections or doubts can come and cause us to miss the peace and joy of simply saying “yes” to God.
We often hear God’s voice in our hearts through His Holy Spirit, but we quickly move to the practical, earthly realities rather than rejoicing and obeying the whispers of the Spirit.
The greatest gifts in my life come through obedience to God’s call upon me, and the greatest blessings come when I trust the Father to make me who he wants me to be: holy and present.
This is God’s plan: to follow Him- let Him Lead- to Be His!!
Would you pray with me?
Dear Lord, thank you for your free gift of forgiveness when we doubt you. Please help us believe your messages to us and answer your call to sacrificial service. Bring us to full obedience through your power and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
Gospel according to Luke, 1:18-20 NIV
