Luke 21:3-4 He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” + My friend Jay once asked me if the gigantic “Jesus Saves” billboards on urban banks advertised where Jesus saves. It’s a powerfully mixed message. Decide what kind of savings you value most. Is it worth enough to give it all away? I hope you’ve enjoyed reading and listening to my Flash💥...
Oct 27, 2024•54 sec
Psalm 126:5-6 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. + Sometimes the songs of joy remain silent in the hymnal, tucked in the pew for another day. Grief dribbles from our eyes. No tune carries sadness far. Yet we live as children of promise for that coming day. Sorrow matures in our walk toward new seasons. Listen for radiant harmony as new songs emerge. This devotional also a...
Oct 24, 2024•56 sec
Hebrews 6:11-12 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. + We need companions who can reorient us when we stray. Pulling up our bootstraps fixes some needs but relationships knit us together better. Loving each other the way Jesus loved counts. Stay the course with allies in committed faith. Today’s devotio...
Oct 21, 2024•54 sec
Deuteronomy 24:17, 19 Make sure that orphans and foreigners are treated fairly. … If you forget to bring in a stack of harvested grain, don't go back in the field to get it. Leave it for the poor, including foreigners, orphans, and widows, and the Lord will make you successful in everything you do. + Each of us bears responsibility for our neighbors and for fair distribution of earthly abundance. Justice and righteousness become real when whole communities experience the good life God gives us. ...
Oct 18, 2024•1 min
Deuteronomy 24:17,19 Make sure that orphans and foreigners are treated fairly. … If you forget to bring in a stack of harvested grain, don't go back in the field to get it. Leave it for the poor, including foreigners, orphans, and widows, and the Lord will make you successful in everything you do. + Each of us bears responsibility for our neighbors and for fair distribution of earthly abundance. Justice and righteousness become real when whole communities experience the good life God gives us. T...
Oct 18, 2024•1 min
Mark 10:49-51 Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.’ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him. + Be conscious of the constant reconciling presence of Jesus. Tell others, “Guess who called me today?” Flip the script. Call Jesus and ask, “What do you want me to do for YOU today?” Thanks for stopping by today! Subscribe or follow for free posts or ...
Oct 16, 2024•52 sec
Mark 10:49-51 Jesus stopped and said, ‘ Call him .’ So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.’ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. ‘ What do you want me to do for you? ’ Jesus asked him. + Be conscious of the constant reconciling presence of Jesus. Tell others, “Guess who called me today?” Flip the script. Call Jesus and ask, “What do you want me to do for YOU today?” Good to be with you! Thanks! Subscribe for free new posts and to...
Oct 15, 2024•52 sec
2 Corinthians 8:11 Get full access to Marianne’s Substack at marianneabellipschutz.substack.com/subscribe
Oct 12, 2024•50 sec
2 Corinthians 8:11 Be as eager to finish this journey as you were when you started, and give as much as you are able. If you have a willing heart, it is accepted that you give from what you have and not from what you do not have. + A journey seems adventurous and desirable, launched with anticipation and yearning. Finishing well can be just as gratifying. We live like Jesus when we love completely. Discover fulfillment in becoming who you are through loving relationships. It’s been a pleasure to...
Oct 12, 2024•50 sec
Luke 24:39 Thanks for praying with me today on Flash💥Devos Podcast! Subscribe for free new posts, podcasts, and other contributions. Get full access to Marianne’s Substack at marianneabellipschutz.substack.com/subscribe
Oct 09, 2024•1 min
Luke 24:39 “ See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have .” + Being only “the hands and feet of Jesus” limits God’s desire for healing. Why bypass heart, mind, soul, and strength? Christ resolved all suffering with holistic love. We may not choose to suffer. Jesus calls us to freely love. “Christ has no body now on earth but yours.” ~ Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582) Thanks for stopping by to pray with me on FLASH...
Oct 09, 2024•1 min
James 4:8 Thanks for listening to Flash💥Devos Podcast! Subscribe for new posts and podcasts. I look forward to praying together with you. Get full access to Marianne’s Substack at marianneabellipschutz.substack.com/subscribe
Oct 06, 2024•1 min
James 4:8 Come near to God and God will come near to you. + Reciprocity identifies our universe. Made by a Creator who freely shares love and delight, we yearn for community by nature. Drawing closer to others enriches us the way a complex environment fosters a diversified life. When we invest in the flourishing of our neighbors, everyone enjoys the rewards. Choose to live close to God so everyone and everything around you will also experience God’s love. Thanks for praying together on Flash💥De...
Oct 06, 2024•1 min
Proverbs 30:15-16 Get full access to Marianne’s Substack at marianneabellipschutz.substack.com/subscribe
Oct 04, 2024•1 min
Proverbs 30:15-16 “There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’: the grave, the barren womb, land, which is never satisfied with water, and fire, which never says, ‘Enough!’ + The forces of nature and the forces of human nature share perplexing similarities. Relief seems impossible for the suffering and terror caused by disasters. Relentless conflicts within ourselves and our communities also seem irreconcilable. Through Christ, we can choose redemptive solutio...
Oct 03, 2024•1 min
Get full access to Marianne’s Substack at marianneabellipschutz.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 30, 2024•53 sec
Genesis 17:13 My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. When everlasting began, God included us in the kingdom. God promised a commitment beyond time, place, or works. Abraham surrendered. He received a new name and a reshaped body that marked him for an eternal future. + God wants us to become one to each other through such profound attachment that our bodies reflect the new spirit within us. God offers a new covenant through Jesus. Worship, pray, and flourish in authentic rel...
Sep 30, 2024•53 sec
Thanks to everyone who has subscribed, read, commented, and listened to my FLASH💥DEVOS for its first month! As a tenfold gesture of gratitude at just over 1000 words, I’d like to share this piece about how scripture, obedience, and love in Guatemala changed my old grief into surprising joy. As writer Etty Hillesum once said, we should “clear a decent shelter” for our sorrow. “Then you may truly say: life is beautiful and so rich. So beautiful and so rich that it makes you want to believe in God...
Sep 30, 2024•7 min
Thanks to everyone who has subscribed, read, commented, and listened to my FLASH💥DEVOS for its first month! As a tenfold gesture of gratitude at just over 1000 words, I’d like to share this piece about how scripture, obedience, and love in Guatemala transformed my old grief into surprising joy. As writer Etty Hillesum once said, we should “clear a decent shelter” for our sorrow. “Then you may truly say: life is beautiful and so rich. So beautiful and so rich that it makes you want to believe in...
Sep 29, 2024•7 min
Psalm 19:7-8 The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The last words of each line attract me: whole, clear, right. Together, road, joy. Different combinations address life’s complexity. Seek God’s revelation through signposts and life-maps. Yearn for wholeness and clarity. Humility can right-size our relationships in the world. Let God draw us together on the r...
Sep 27, 2024•1 min
Deuteronomy 1:17 Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God. + Sane advice from a tested leader like Moses applies today. When we listen to everyone and don’t fear anyone, we respect the fair judgment of God. Make room for other points of view. Communities that share authority and power flourish. Be a living presence of fair leadership. Where you have influence, invite dialogue to allow peace. Thanks for reading my ...
Sep 21, 2024•48 sec
Acts 22:8-10 “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. “‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting ,’ he replied. “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. “‘Get up ,’ the Lord said, ‘ and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do .’” God’s penetrating light withered the old Saul. Paul surrendered as his identity transformed. Obedience shows the way when our words can’t explain who God asks us to be. Which question is yours: “Who are you, Lord?” or “What shall I do?” Su...
Sep 18, 2024•52 sec
Hebrews 11:24-25 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. Moses chose community with those who suffer as a mature response to his world. Having experienced the flashy thrills of sinful acts, Moses contributed to an eternal legacy instead. Befriending unlikely or unlike-me people takes courage. Give people a chance. Thanks for reading my FLA...
Sep 15, 2024•47 sec
John 1:34 “I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” Imagine that incredible day on the job when John the Baptist saw Jesus walking towards him across the sands of time. The ribbon of water unfurled along the beach. The crowd turned to see who John pointed to, shouting, “Here he is! He’s the One!” Jesus is the only one who is always coming to save us. Turn to see who is coming. Can you welcome Christ in them? Do they see Jesus in you? Thanks for reading my FLASH💥DEVOS! Subscribe...
Sep 12, 2024•45 sec
Psalm 128:19 As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. History imprints our hearts with elaborate patterns. The grit of grief etches us. Goodness meanders among scabs left by harsh encounters. Yet harmony is not beyond our reach. When our heart’s desires flow through expressions on our faces, we attune to others in love. Let others reflect the power in your loving heart back to you. Your life is part of the wonder in the world. Thanks for reading my Flash💥Devos! Subscribe to...
Sep 09, 2024•43 sec
Psalm 139:16 All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. God embeds majesty in our souls, assuring us we are created, chosen, anointed, and essential. Mystery and promise still exist. What will you write in your book of “God’s Plans for Me” in 2024 and beyond? Believe that you will flourish in ways that seem impossible now. Cast your vision of the future God wants for you. Discern the goodness you can discover now and record your insights. Dedicated to M...
Sep 01, 2024•43 sec
Dear Family & Friends, I’m thrilled to announce that my new Flash💥Devos newsletter will launch on September 1st. Subscribers receive an email twice a week with an image, bursts of scripture, insights, and a nudge in 90 words. I’d love to have you join me. Since 2021, I’ve published short-short devotions with Red Letter Christians. Friends and readers encouraged me to collect these and write more so they’re easily available. I dreamed about adding images from artists as well as from the plac...
Aug 15, 2024•3 min
