Clark Mills UMC

05/30/2026

A Devotion for Today! What Christ’s return will do for you
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. - Romans 8:22-23
A music composer had a mischievous son who used to love to get under his father’s skin. Often, he would come in late at night when his father and mother were in bed. Before going to his room, he would go to the piano and loudly play a simple scale, all but the final note, thus leaving the scale incomplete.
The father, hearing the scale minus the final note, would writhe in his bed, unable to relax after hearing the unresolved scale. Finally, he would stumble downstairs to the piano and hit the final note. Only then would he be able to sleep.
It’s called catharsis… that felt need every single one of us has to resolve things that seem out of balance to us. It’s an innate feeling given to us by God to help us work toward and anticipate a time when every tension we have will be released and all things will be made new.
That day will happen when Jesus returns. That event will be the final note in the unfinished scale of history. It will be the day when all the wrongs are made right, all our sadness turns to joy, and our faith is made sight.
For now, we writhe and wait for the final note to be played. But trust in the Lord that the day is coming when all things will be complete and we’ll enter the rest He has for us!

Prayer Challenge: Pray that God would give you the strength to endure any hardship you face by trusting in the promise of Christ’s return.
Questions for Thought: When you think about Christ’s return, what unresolved problem that you have today are you most looking forward to being resolved?
How does the promise of Christ’s return help you endure hard times today?
A Devotional of Seniorliving Ministries

05/28/2026

Godprints Devotion
Meditate: Have you taken a walk lately? Have you ever stopped to think about what it takes to walk? You may be thinking a walk begins with one step, but I believe it actually takes two to begin a walk. Then these two steps are repeated over and over.

A walk can become a Godprints truth in our life connecting an everyday action reminding us of the wonder of walking with God. One of my friends shared a verse with me that got me to thinking –

“Thus says the LORD, stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it; and you shall find rest for you souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.” - Jeremiah 6:16

Here God is using Jeremiah to remind the people of Judah to choose to walk in God’s way. I began to wonder – “What are these ancient paths?” It caused me to think of Enoch, Noah, and Abraham…they walked with God. Could the ancient paths, where the good way is, point to walking daily with God?

The Bible talks a great deal about walking.

Enoch – Genesis 5:22 – “Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters.” Genesis 5:24 – “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.”
Noah – Genesis 6:9 – “This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.”
Abraham – Genesis 17:1 – “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless. I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”
Micah 6:8 – “He told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8 gives us a partial description of how walking with God is marked by humbleness, justice and kindness or mercy. But how does this walk begin and then continue as the ancient paths portrayed by Enoch, Noah, and Abraham? It begins and continues with two steps...putting one foot in front of the other!

In the New Testament Paul encourages believers in Colossians 2:6 – “Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,”. How did we receive Christ Jesus the Lord? We receive Him through repentance and faith.

Repentance is that turn around step that changes our direction from going our own way away from God and turns us back to Him. We receive forgiveness, but we are still standing still until we take the next step…a step of faith. Through faith we then are able to step towards God in total surrender and trust. These should mark our spiritual walk with God so we are moving forward in the same direction with Him.

Notice the very last phrase of Jeremiah 6:16 though – “But they said, “We will not walk in it.” God gives us a choice. He will not force us to turn to Him and walk with Him finding rest for our souls. He invites us though out of His great love for us.

John the apostle and one of Jesus’ closest friends says in 1 John 2:6 – “the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” John knew what it was like to walk with God in the flesh. He walked with Jesus. He knew Jesus. We can too as we daily walk just as we received Christ – turning away from sin and our own ways, turning to God and His direction, and by moving forward with Him in faith, trusting Him in every way and every circumstance.

What choice will we make? To begin the journey with Jesus, it takes repentance and faith. We receive salvation, God’s free gift of eternal life. But we also have a daily choice to remain in Christ, to daily walk with God each and every day the same way – repentance and faith. That’s where we will find rest for our souls and the peace that surpasses all comprehension along with overflowing joy and SO MUCH MORE!

Ready to go for a walk now?!

05/26/2026

What you do everyday when you wake up reflects much on the spiritual health of your life. Mornings are sacred moments of new beginnings. When the sun rises, the believer has the privilege of meeting with the Creator before facing the demands of the day. The psalmist beautifully declares, “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up” (Psalm 5:3 KJV). To begin each day with God is to invite His peace, wisdom, and strength into every thought and action that follows.

Start your morning with gratitude. Psalm 118:24 reminds us, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Gratitude aligns the heart with heaven. As soon as you wake up, thank God for life, breath, and the opportunities that await. A thankful heart guards against anxiety and fills your spirit with quiet joy.

Surrender your plans to God before your day unfolds. Proverbs 3:5–6 teaches, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Entrusting your schedule to the Lord frees you from fear and gives you confidence that every step is guided by His hand.

Next, spend a few moments in confession. 1 John 1:9 assures, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” Morning is a time for spiritual cleansing, for setting aside yesterday’s failures and receiving renewed grace. God’s mercy is new every morning, and confession restores fellowship with Him.

Open your Bible and meditate on a single verse or passage. Joshua 1:8 commands, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night.” Let the Word of God shape your thoughts. Read slowly, reflect deeply, and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal how you can live that truth today.

Lift your heart in praise. Psalm 100:4 calls us to “enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise.” Singing to the Lord fills the soul with strength. Whether you hum an old hymn or listen to a worship song, praise sets the spiritual tone for the day ahead.

Intercede for others as part of your morning devotion. 1 Timothy 2:1 reminds believers to offer prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for all people. Praying for others expands your heart, softens pride, and builds compassion. When you pray for those around you, you become a vessel of grace in their lives.

Then take a moment of silence before God. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Silence allows your soul to listen. God may not speak audibly, but His peace will fill your heart with assurance and direction.

Declare God’s promises over your life. 2 Corinthians 1:20 tells us that “all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen.” Speaking His promises aloud builds faith and reminds you that your confidence rests in His Word, not in circumstances.

Set one spiritual goal for the day. Philippians 3:14 expresses the believer’s determination: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Maybe your goal is to show kindness, forgive someone, or share your faith. Even one intentional step of obedience can transform your day.

Finally, commit the entire day to the Lord in prayer. Psalm 143:8 says, “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust.” Ask God to fill you with His Spirit, protect your mind, and use you as a light wherever you go.

When you begin your mornings with God, you invite His presence to walk beside you through every challenge and blessing. You will find that your perspective changes: burdens feel lighter, temptations lose power, and joy takes root in your heart. Each morning becomes more than a routine, it becomes a sacred meeting with your Savior. Start tomorrow by opening His Word, lifting your heart in prayer, and letting gratitude lead your day. With God at the center, every sunrise becomes a fresh reminder of His unfailing love.

05/12/2026

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” — Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)
Mistakes are part of life. We forget names, send emails to the wrong person, or trip over nothing in front of a crowd. Our natural reaction is embarrassment, frustration, or even self-criticism. But God invites us to see these moments differently. Laughter doesn’t mean we don’t care—it means we trust God more than our pride.

Jesus never tripped over His sandals that I know, but He understood human weakness. He called imperfect disciples, knowing they would fail. Peter sank, Thomas doubted, and yet God still used them. Our blunders don’t define us; they remind us of our need for grace. Sometimes, the best response is to laugh and keep going.

When we take ourselves too seriously, we miss the joy in the journey. God doesn’t expect perfection, and neither should we. If we learn to laugh at ourselves, we’ll find freedom. Instead of carrying shame, we can embrace humility with a smile, knowing God’s grace covers even our funniest failures.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Sometimes I take life too seriously. I get frustrated with myself when I mess up. But You remind me that joy is found in trusting You, not in being perfect. Help me to embrace mistakes with laughter instead of shame. Teach me to rely on Your grace more than my own efforts. Give me a heart that sees the humor in life. Let my joy be contagious and my attitude reflect Your love. When I stumble, help me to rise with confidence in You. Thank You for loving me despite my flaws and for teaching me to laugh along the way. In Jesus name, Amen.

05/09/2026

Devotion: Some Days Are Better Than Others, But God Still Loves You

Life has a rhythm — some days feel light and full of joy, while others weigh heavy on our hearts. It’s easy to feel close to God when everything is going well, but it’s in the harder days that His love becomes even more precious.
God’s love is not based on our mood, our performance, or our circumstances. Whether you’re celebrating a victory or struggling through a valley, His love remains steady, unshaken, and unconditional.
Reflection: When the day feels heavy, remember that God’s presence is not distant. He walks with you in the sunshine and in the storm, offering comfort, strength, and hope.
Scripture to Hold On To: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." — Lamentations 3:22-

05/07/2026

🙏 A Prayer for Our Families and Nation/and a Word
Heavenly Father, We come before You with grateful hearts, lifting our families and our nation into Your loving hands. Bless our homes with peace, understanding, and unwavering love. Strengthen the bonds between us, that we may support one another through every joy and trial. Guide our leaders with wisdom, integrity, and compassion, that they may serve with justice and humility. Heal the divisions among us, and plant seeds of unity, kindness, and respect in every heart. Protect our children, inspire our youth, and comfort those who are weary. Let truth and righteousness flourish in our land, and may Your light shine through our actions, words, and choices. We trust in Your unfailing grace, believing that with You, our families will stand strong and our nation will thrive.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
1 Timothy 2:1-2: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."
2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people, who are called by my Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
Psalm 33:12: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.

05/06/2026

05/06/2026

🌼 Devotion: “God’s Timing… and My Microwave”
I once prayed for patience — and then immediately asked God if He could hurry up with the answer.
It reminded me of my microwave: I stand there tapping my foot, watching seconds tick down, as if glaring at it will make my food heat faster.
Life with God isn’t a microwave; it’s more like a slow cooker. He lets things simmer so the flavor of His plan can fully develop. And while we’re waiting, He often sprinkles in little moments of joy — a friend’s unexpected text, a beautiful sunset, or a laugh that makes your cheeks hurt.
Scripture: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles…” (Isaiah 40:31)
Reflection: When we trust God’s timing, we can relax, smile, and even laugh at ourselves for thinking we could rush the Creator of the universe. Hope isn’t just about the future — it’s about finding joy in the waiting room of life.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for knowing exactly when and how to answer my prayers. Help me to wait with hope, laugh in the delays, and trust that Your timing is always perfect — even if it’s slower than my microwave.

05/03/2026

Devotional: ‘When God Makes You Laugh’
“A cheerful heart is good medicine…” (Proverbs 17:22) Though we all enjoy a clean joke or a humorous story, the best laughter we can experience is when God’s grace puts a smile on our face. Consider how God made Abram laugh.

“As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you… Regarding Sarai, your wife—her name will no longer be Sarai. From now on her name will be Sarah. And I will bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be among her descendants.” Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?” (Gen 17:4-6, 15-17 NLT)

By this time in Abram’s life, twenty-five years had passed since the LORD had first spoken to him. On more than one occasion, the LORD had promised to bless him with a son; yet throughout the years, he and Sarai remained childless. Apparently, Abram had all but given up.

Abram’s father was seventy when Abram was born and so perhaps God’s promise at first seemed feasible. But now that he was nearly 100 years old, surely this was impossible. To make matters even worse, Sarai had just celebrated her 90th birthday!

Yet with God, nothing is impossible. God reassured Abraham of this by changing both his and Sarai’s name. The name ‘Abram’ means {exalted father}. Quite a name for a man who doesn’t even have a child. But the name ‘Abraham’ means {the father of a multitude.} Not only was God going to give him a son, God was going to give him a great nation. Most interpret Sarai to mean {my princess}, perhaps signifying that she was Abraham’s personal princess. But now God was changing her name to Sarah which simply means {princess.} No longer would she be just a personal princess for one man. Now she would be the princess of a mighty nation.

There is one more name that we should consider before we end today. It is the name ‘Isaac.’

“…Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant.” (Genesis 17:19)

What does the name ‘Isaac’ mean? It means – laughter. The Bible says that as God spoke of His goodness, Abraham laughed in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?” By the name Isaac, the Lord never let Abraham forget his disbelief.
I’m sure that none of us would ever laugh at God in a mocking way. We love and honor Him too much to ever do something like that. Yet perhaps, many of us sometimes laugh in disbelief at some of His promises. “Surely God couldn’t do that” we might think, “and even if He could, He probably won’t.” Yet sometimes the Lord does something so good for us – we can’t help but laugh.
I pray that today, the Lord will put a great big smile on your face.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Pslam 100

05/02/2026

A little 4 year old girl asked me the other day if I only had one tooth and I said yes because my other front tooth broke off and she proceeded to go pick me a beautiful little lawn flower and gave it to me. Kids sometimes say and do the darndest things and give us a lesson in life’s grace. Read this little devotion and wanted us to look inside ourselves to find a little grace in these times!
How many white hairs have you been given?
A dear friend recently sent us this funny story and we couldn’t help but share it with you.
One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast upon her brunette head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, “Mom, why are some of your hairs white?”

“Well”, her mother replied, “every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.”

The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, “Momma, how come all of Grandma’s hairs are white?”

A funny story, yes — but isn’t it true that we’re always looking for someone to blame for our imperfections? The Lord warned us about the danger of pointing out the faults of others. He said that people with planks in their eyes should not attempt to remove specks out of other people’s eyes. Somehow, we lose sight of this so quickly! We are all still growing. None of us has arrived! We need to be aware of how the enemy tries to ensnare us in this way.

I don’t know about you but I tend to agree with the person who said “The only person I want removing splinters out of my eyes is someone with a clear vision and a gentle touch!”

Let’s ask the Lord to help us to see the ways we’ve been judgmental and become people with clear vision and a gentle touch! We should be building up one another and encouraging each other so that the work of the Lord may go forward and we may rejoice together in the blessing!

Matthew 7:2-5 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.