Devotion for April 22, 2020

The Presbyterian Church, Coshocton, OH

Pastor Karen Crawford

Audio file of this devotion:

Hello, friends!

I went to visit our worship home yesterday, The Presbyterian Church in Coshocton, Ohio.

While I was at the church, I wandered into the sanctuary and was moved, once again, by the beauty of our stained glass windows. Just as they did long ago in the early years of the Church, they help to tell the story of Jesus and his love. I began taking pictures as an aching filled my heart.

Separated from one another, we have a longing to be with the people of God. When we are together, we are encouraged in the faith. When we worship, it helps us to “see” and know Jesus.  I am reminded of the promise, as he tells us in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

I hope that the pictures of our stained glass windows will encourage you today about the promise of Matthew 18:20, which includes our virtual worship when we approach in faith. We must anticipate that we will see God and have our hearts and minds renewed. For the Lord knows our situation and is wherever we are. He comes down to us and meets us here. He welcomes us to come to Him, just as we are.

My prayer for you today is from 1 Peter 1:8: “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,”

Let us pray.

Lord, we thank you for the gift of faith and the promise that you are with us as we gather in your name in small groups of 2 or 3. Fill us with your inexpressible and glorious joy as we turn to you and seek to see and know you more. In your Son’s name we pray. Amen. 

Music by The Church Sisters, In the Garden: