Revloc Presbyterian

06/24/2026

Insult
(Devotion from Wels Devotions)

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ~ 1 Peter 4:14

It hurts to be insulted. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about the collective teasing and ribbing that take place among people who generally get along with each other. I’m talking about that moment when someone crosses the line, takes part of what you are, and holds it up for contempt. That hurts.

When Christians are insulted because of their beliefs, they should not be surprised. Perhaps it’s the co-worker who dismisses you for being stupid and naïve. Perhaps it’s the schoolmate who goes out of her way to flaunt something sinful in front of you. Perhaps it’s the guy down at the gym who picks religious fights for fun. Perhaps it’s the family member who rolls her eyes at you and your “narrow” view of the world. Sure, you can usually ride the waves and take the cutting remarks in stride. However, there are times when it becomes overwhelming. There are moments when the insults truly hurt.

When that happens, your Lord wants you to remember that such insults mark you as someone he has blessed. Oh, sure, it doesn’t feel like a blessing. But that’s okay, because the truth remains that those insults identify you as someone the Holy Spirit has brought into God’s family, someone surrounded by God’s promises, someone embraced by full forgiveness through faith in Jesus.

So let the insults come. Let the eyes roll. Let the snickers and the sneers do their worst. Jesus says that they serve as a reminder that you belong to him. When we keep that in mind, then such insults are not so bad after all.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when the insults come to attack my faith, empower me by your Spirit to remember that such insults mark me as someone blessed by you. In difficult moments, give me peace of mind and heart. Amen.

06/23/2026

Our Good Shepherd
(Devotion from Wels Devotions)

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. ~ Psalm 23:2

Sheep can be easily spooked. A sudden noise can send them into a frenzy. These gentle creatures are not built to handle a lot of stress because they do not have a strong defense mechanism. Sheep are vulnerable and depend on their shepherd for protection.

Like sheep, you and I don’t always feel like we’re built to handle some of the problems we’re facing. We can feel stressed and overtaxed. And the truth is that we are just as defenseless. Much of the stress in our lives is due to problems beyond our control. We may work hard, but cutbacks can still take away our job. We may eat right, but medical tests can still deliver troubling news.

Thanks be to God that we are not on our own. We have a shepherd who protects us. Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, was willing to lay down his life for his sheep (John 10:11). He is a Shepherd who did not remain dead but picked his life up again. This good and living Shepherd provides protection for his sheep.

Jesus’ sheep were very nervous and fearful on that first Easter. His disciples met in secret behind locked doors. Then Jesus appeared and said, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19). Jesus could offer the disciples peace because he was alive again. He paid the price for their sin by his death on the cross on Good Friday. The living Jesus restored their joy of salvation with his peace of sins forgiven.

Jesus offers his peace to you and me as well. We may feel defenseless with the problems we are going through. But we are never alone. Our protector and Good Shepherd is always with us. Leading us to the green pastures of his Word, he fills us with comfort and confidence through his promises. As he satisfies us with the life-giving water of his Word, he strengthens our faith in him and gives us the peace that only he, our Good Shepherd, can give us.

Prayer:
Jesus, my Good Shepherd, lead me to a deeper understanding and a greater trust in your words. Amen.

06/22/2026

The Past Is Paid For

“For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” ~ Acts 17:31

It seems like an all-too-common occurrence when someone in the public eye comes under fire for past indiscretions. Whether it is athletes, politicians, or entertainers, we have seen examples of someone falling from grace. Once past sins are brought into the light, very few people in our society will have mercy. Social media will vilify the person. Public opinion will turn against them quickly. They might be blackballed by Hollywood or shunned by their political party. It is likely they will never recover or return to their previous position.

Deep down, we are all afraid that our past sins will come back to bite us in the end. Maybe it was something done in secret that nobody knows about. Perhaps it was a sin committed in the heat of the moment, you know that at some point it is going to come to light, and you are going to have to answer for it. It is likely that whatever happened will eventually be known by others; it is just a matter of time. The fear of waiting for that other shoe to drop is real. We fear losing our jobs, reputation, or relationships. Perhaps more than that, we fear being punished by God for all eternity.

That would be our fate, except that someone already answered to God on our behalf. In giving himself to die on the cross, Jesus already took both the blame and the punishment for our sins. He has paid for our sins and removed them from us.

Yes, the day is coming when many will have to answer for what they have done. But through faith in Jesus, we don’t have to fear that day. The Judge on that day will be the same one who died and rose from the dead to save us. Thanks be to God that through faith in Jesus, we will not be made to answer for our sins!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for answering for my sins and removing them from me. Lead me to not fear the day of your return. Amen.

06/21/2026

06/21/2026

A Father's Day Devotional
by Ramzi Fakhoury
(Devotion from CoffeeWithMyFather)

“For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” ~Genesis 18:19

After spending the better part of a rough work week fantasizing about laying on the couch with some mindless tv, that plan quickly changed the moment the key turned to unlock my front door to start my Father’s Day weekend. “Eh, maybe I can sneak a nap in when they head off to college,” I sighed to myself.

Mustering up the last ounce of energy I had stored for walks to the fridge that evening, I lifted up my daughter over my head to make her fly....my five year old has a standing appointment every day with me after work where she jumps off the couch and fulfills her need to soar.

Only to find myself later in a wrestling match with all 3 kids before bed, I contemplate one day these days will only be cherished memories….I’ll soak it up now.

As I watch my kids get older, I get to witness them evolve into these beautiful souls...how can I not thank my Father in Heaven for blessing me with such a title....”Dad.” It’s a title I hold dear to my heart and with great reverence.

Those moments where I get to see the love they have for each other grow and watch them still play with each other no matter how old are one of the many blessings I get to thank God for every day. It also makes me appreciate all the things my dad did for me. Those unselfish acts don’t go unnoticed dad.

Today, above all else, let's honor Our Father in Heaven...our own dads...the dads who opt for wrestling with their kids and tea parties over selfish career goals....the dads who sacrificed all their time and energy to make memories...the dads who have molded us but have since passed on…the moms doubling up as dads…and those taking on a role as dads.

Let’s continue to pray for all those dads who continue to be honorable, and God fearing Fathers.

Happy Father’s Day!

06/20/2026

Join us for drinks and doughnuts prior to a very casual service at 10am in our fellowship hall(basement) this Sunday in honor of Father’s Day.

06/20/2026

He is the Champ
(Devotion from Wels Devotions)

After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits. ~ 1 Peter 3:19

Winning is fun. And there are many different ways that winners express their joy. Olympic champions cry tears of joy as they stand at the top of the podium while their country’s anthem is played. Baseball players stomp on home plate and are mobbed by their teammates when they score the winning run. NASCAR drivers hang a checkered flag out of their window and do donuts on the infield after they cross the finish line first. Champions are not shy about expressing their joy in victory.

Jesus was not shy about proclaiming his victory either. But his victory had nothing to do with the Olympics, baseball, or NASCAR. No, his victory was concerned with defeating sin and temptation. It was not a game, and the stakes were high. Our eternal life was at risk. If Jesus were to be defeated, we all would have had to suffer forever and be separated from God.

Jesus did not want to lose us, and so he entered the arena that is this sinful world. He was born here. He lived here. He suffered and died here. And through it all, he defeated every temptation the devil could throw at him. He never once sinned. He was perfect for us. And after dying on the cross to take our sins away, he rose from the dead to forever guarantee our victory.

And like any champion, Jesus proclaimed his victory. Except he did not do it from the top of a medal stand or the infield of a racetrack. No, after being made alive again, Jesus went right into the arena where the enemy was and proclaimed his victory. He announced to the devil and all his enemies that he, in fact, is the champion. Jesus has won the victory! And he freely gives us the award that he won. Through his victory for us, we are now forgiven and saved and on the way to heaven. His victory is our victory, and we can now live our lives in a way that proclaims that victory for all to see and hear.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for winning the victory over sin, death and hell, and sharing your victory with me. Help me to live in that victory. Amen.

06/19/2026

Hope’s Testimony
(Devotion from Wels Devotions)
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. ~ 1 Peter 3:15

Remember cramming (studying) for an exam? Trying to somehow embed your resistant memory with all those details written in the textbook or recorded in your class notes? You knew that if you didn’t have a grasp on most of the material, you’d bring home the news of a less-than-desirable test score, or perhaps even a failing grade.

Peter isn’t talking about a test when he says, “Always be prepared to give an answer.” He’s talking about an opportunity! A God-given one! The Lord is bringing into your presence or opening a door to someone who doesn’t know what is yours—hope!

When your unbelieving neighbor sees you living your life for Christ—”letting your light shine”—he or she is puzzled. “What accounts for this obvious joy?” “Where does this generosity of patience and love come from?” “Why are you so filled with hope?” Ah! Opportunity!

This passage addresses the subject of witnessing! Of evangelizing! Of sharing the Good News that has delivered a sure and certain hope to you, but is meant for everyone! And the apostle says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

Are you prepared to do so? You may be more prepared than you think! You know what Jesus has done for you. You know why he died on the cross. You know the meaning of his resurrection. You know that eternal life is already yours. You know that he is coming back to judge the living and the dead. You know that those who die in Christ are blessed. And that means you also know that those who die without Jesus have no hope.

“We believe,” Paul wrote the Corinthian Christians. “And therefore speak.” Christian hope needs to find expression. The questions raised by our unbelieving friends need answering. The love of Christ compels us to share our hope with them. They must hear the gospel!

Prayer:
Lord, open my lips to share my hope in you. Amen.

06/18/2026

The Promise

[Jesus said to his disciples] “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” ~ John 14:16-19

Do you like being alone? Sure, it can be nice to take a walk by yourself to clear your head or escape to the garage for some quiet tinkering. But when the bad news comes, or the holidays arrive, or the loneliness settles in, do you like being alone?

As Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure—both his departure to death on the cross and his departure to heaven at his ascension—he comforted his disciples. He didn’t want them to feel abandoned by him and left on their own. So, he made a promise to them. God was going to give his Counselor, the Holy Spirit, to be with them forever. They were not going to be alone, in good times or in bad times.

The promise Jesus made to his disciples is also for you. He knows there are times when you are going to feel alone. There will be times when temptation will seem ready to overwhelm you. There will be times that sorrow or trouble or the death of a loved one will leave you standing, not knowing what direction to turn. Yet God has not left you alone. When he made you his child, he sent the Holy Spirit to be with you. By your side, he reminds you of the comfort and promise of the Resurrection. Because Jesus lives, you too will live. No matter what the trial or the sorrow, nothing can take away the sure fulfillment of this promise. You will live because Jesus has rescued you from death. He has rescued you from sin. He has replaced it with eternal life.

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, I give thanks that you have not abandoned me but have sent your Holy Spirit to keep your promise of eternal life before me. Amen.

06/17/2026

The Way Home
(Devotion from Wels Devotions)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” ~ John 14:6

The apostle Thomas once asked a question that everyone wants to know the answer to: “How do we know the way?” How do we know the way to God, to heaven, to happiness?

Jesus did not hand Thomas directions. He handed him, and all of us, himself. He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” He is not one option among many. He is the way. That means the path to God does not begin with us.

That hurts our pride. We would rather build something of our own. We want the work, recognition, and control. But if the way did depend on us, questions would always remain: Did I do enough? Did I miss something? Did I fail?

Thankfully, Jesus removes those questions. He did not stand at the end of the road and point. He marched the way for us. He lived the life we could not live. He died the death we deserved. He rose to life and opened the way to the Father. Then he declares, “No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus is not trying to discourage you. He is giving you certainty. In Christ, you have access to God. Stop searching. Stop striving. Stop relying on your strength.

The world is full of confusing voices and competing truths. But Jesus gives us clarity: There is a way to God—his name is Jesus.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for opening the way to the Father. Keep me firmly in you and lead me safely to the eternal home you are preparing. Amen.