First Covenant Church - Fort Dodge, Iowa

05/11/2026

Let Go and Let God

In Acts 10, God gave Peter a powerful vision that challenged the way he viewed people. Soon after, Peter was led to the home of a Roman centurion named Cornelius. Although Jews and Gentiles normally avoided one another, God was showing Peter that the Gospel was meant for everyone. Peter obeyed the Lord, entered Cornelius’s house, and boldly shared the message of Jesus Christ.

As Peter preached, something incredible happened. Before he even finished speaking, “the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message” (Acts 10:44). Peter was responsible for sharing the truth, but God was responsible for changing hearts. The disciples were simply willing vessels. The power belonged to the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13:2 reminds us that the Holy Spirit was actively guiding and interceding on behalf of the disciples and their witness. They may have been the voice, but it was the presence and power of God that accomplished the unimaginable. The same is true for us today. We are called to share the Gospel, love people, and speak truth with boldness. Then we must let go and let God do what only He can do.

Sometimes we hesitate because we feel unqualified, afraid, or unsure of the outcome. But God never asked us to save people—He asked us to be faithful. When we trust Him with the results, the Holy Spirit can work in ways far beyond what we could ever imagine.

Prayer

Lord, help me to boldly share the message of Jesus with others. Give me the courage to speak when You open the door, and the wisdom to trust You with the results. Let Your Holy Spirit work through my life so others may come to know You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

*This devotional was inspired by Pastor Allan's sermon at First Covenant Church on May 10, 2026.*

05/10/2026

May 10, 2026

Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius

I'm beginning to figure out why so many people are depressed and anxious. Here is the short of it. They have nothing to do!

The last two weeks after my knee surgery, I've been pretty much immobile. Of course, my lovely wife, Armona, who is now the crutch under my arms, has helped to keep me from falling into the malady of depression. Without her, there would be no one to talk to, no shoulder to cry on, no one to tell me in a loving way, “This is only temporary…and it too shall pass.” We all need someone to come alongside us when things aren't going so well. We all need someone to throw us a life jacket when we are drowning.

What I've discovered about being immobile is that about the only thing on television is the news. Watching and listening to the news hour after hour surely can be depressing. Being on the frontline of the progress of wars and rumors of wars, watching people, as their hearts grow cold, commit one atrocity upon another with the innocent as their prey, and of course, having a front row seat for natural disasters such as fires and earthquakes, is indeed depressing. Then of course there is the political drama that we all endure. Pull my hair out and scream! Where is my anti-depression drug?

As I sit here, sometimes in my boredom, I remember what my dad and many of my older friends told me about retirement. “When you retire, you just can't go home and sit in your easy chair and do nothing. You must retire to something.” Even one of my older friends told me once upon a time that too many of his friends retire, go home, sit in their chair and six months later they are dead. That's a fate I am not going to endure, dying of boredom.

There’s a praise song we've been singing at church, Made for More. Part of the lyrics go like this. “I wasn't made to be tending a grave.” If you're sitting around with nothing to do and you're bored out of your head, are you already, “tending a grave, your own?” There's no sense in just waiting to die. God made you for more.

Turn off the news and relieve your anxiety by taking a walk with the Lord. He will guide your footsteps and lead you on paths of righteousness. Jesus is better than any anti-anxiety drug. He is your life jacket to keep you afloat.

Love in Christ!
Pastor Allan

©2026 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved

05/10/2026

Trust in Jesus Who has already won the war against the enemy, the serpent.

05/10/2026

05/08/2026

Shine for His Glory

In The Gospel of Matthew 5:14–16, Jesus tells His followers, “You are the light of the world.” A lamp is not meant to be hidden—it is meant to shine so others can see. In the same way, our lives should reflect the love, grace, and truth of Christ everywhere we go.

People are watching more than we realize. They notice how we respond under pressure, how we treat others, and whether kindness, peace, and joy flow from our lives. When we walk closely with God, there will be something “different” about us. That difference becomes a testimony. It points people toward Jesus.

But the goal is not to bring attention to ourselves. Jesus said our light should shine so that others “may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Every act of love, every word of encouragement, and every choice to live faithfully becomes an opportunity to reflect God’s goodness.

When people see the light of Christ in us, many will begin to hunger for the hope and peace that only He can give. Our lives may become the very thing God uses to draw someone closer to Him.

Prayer

Lord, help my life reflect Your light each day. Let others see Your love, peace, and goodness in me. May everything I do point people toward You and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus' name, Amen.

05/08/2026

Perfect for women with full schedules—whether you’re working, raising kids, or both!

05/07/2026

The Gift of His Presence

In John 16:5–15 (NIV), Jesus told His disciples He would soon leave this earth and return to the Father. Though they were sorrowful, Jesus explained that His leaving was for their good, because then the Father would send the Holy Spirit—the Advocate.

During Jesus’ time on earth, the Holy Spirit did not dwell continually in believers as He does now. Instead, He came upon people for specific moments of service and ministry. But after Jesus returned to heaven, the Father sent the Holy Spirit to remain with His people as their constant Comforter, Counselor, and Helper.

The Holy Spirit convicts us, guides us into truth, and always points us to Jesus. He does not draw attention to Himself, but glorifies Christ in our hearts and lives.

What a gift that we are never alone. God has given us His own Spirit to lead us, comfort us, and keep our eyes on Jesus.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank You for being my constant Helper and Guide. Lead me in truth, correct me when I wander, and always turn my heart toward Jesus. In Jesus' name, Amen.

05/06/2026

Jehovah-Rohi: The Shepherd Who Provides

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” — Psalm 23:1–2 (NIV)

In Psalm 23, David opens with one of the most comforting truths in all of Scripture: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” The Hebrew word for shepherd is rohi, and one of God’s beautiful names is Jehovah-Rohi—The Lord my Shepherd.

This picture would have been deeply meaningful to David, who knew firsthand what it meant to care for sheep. Sheep are helpless creatures. They do not have enough sense to find the best pasture on their own, nor do they know where to find still, safe waters. Left to themselves, they wander, become weary, and put themselves in danger.

How like us we often are.

Yet Jehovah-Rohi lovingly leads His sheep. He guides His beloved ones to green pastures for nourishment and beside quiet waters for rest. He knows exactly what we need and where to find it. What we could never secure for ourselves, our Good Shepherd provides with tenderness and care.

And because He is our Shepherd, we can say with confidence: “I lack nothing.” Not because life is always easy, but because the One who leads us is faithful. He provides what is needed. He protects what belongs to Him. He watches over His sheep with perfect love.

When Jehovah-Rohi is your Shepherd, you need nothing else. In Him, you are fed, sheltered, led, and safe.

Prayer:
Jehovah-Rohi, thank You for being my faithful Shepherd. Thank You for leading me, providing for me, and giving me rest. Forgive me for the times I wander and try to find what I need apart from You. Help me to trust Your care, follow Your voice, and rest in the truth that in You, I lack nothing. In Jesus' name, Amen.