Torrington United Methodist Church

06/23/2026

Daily Devotion — June 23, 2026

An Undivided Heart:

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

"Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name."
— Psalm 86:11 (NRSVUE)

David's prayer in Psalm 86 is remarkably honest. He doesn't simply ask God to solve his problems or remove his difficulties. Instead, he asks God to change him. He asks to be taught God's way, to walk in God's truth, and to be given an undivided heart.

That last request is particularly striking.

Most of us know what it feels like to have a divided heart. We want to trust God, yet we worry about the future. We want to follow Christ, yet we are tempted to put our own desires first. We want to focus on what matters most, yet our attention is often scattered among countless demands and distractions.

A divided heart isn't always the result of rebellion. Sometimes it comes from simply trying to carry too much. The concerns of daily life, responsibilities to family, work obligations, financial pressures, and endless streams of information can leave us feeling spiritually fragmented. We know God is important, but our focus becomes split among many competing voices.

David's prayer reminds us that spiritual wholeness is not something we create on our own. He asks God to give him an undivided heart. This is a gift of grace. God works within us to align our desires with His desires and to draw our attention back to what matters most.

Notice also the connection between learning God's way and walking in God's truth. Faith is not merely about knowing the right things; it is about living them. David wants his life to reflect the truth he has learned from God. He longs for his actions, priorities, and choices to flow from a heart devoted to the Lord.

Jesus echoed this same idea when He taught that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. God desires more than a portion of our attention. He desires a relationship in which our lives are centered on Him.

The good news is that God is patient with us. When we recognize that our hearts have become divided, we do not need to hide in shame. We can pray the same prayer David prayed centuries ago. We can ask God to teach us, guide us, and gather together the scattered pieces of our hearts.

Today, take a moment to consider what may be competing for your attention and devotion. Then bring those things before God. Ask Him to help you walk in His truth and to give you an undivided heart that seeks Him above all else.

A Prayer for Today:
Gracious God, teach us your way so that we may walk in your truth. We confess that our hearts are often pulled in many directions by worries, responsibilities, and distractions. Draw us back to you. Help us love you with our whole hearts and trust you with every part of our lives. Shape our desires, guide our steps, and make us faithful followers of Jesus Christ. In His name we pray. Amen.

06/22/2026

Have you ever felt overlooked, forgotten, or like no one was listening?

This week in our sermon series Forming a Family/Preparing a People, we explored the story of Hagar and Ishmael in Genesis 21:8-21. In one of the Bible's most moving wilderness stories, we are reminded that even when others fail to hear, God hears.

God hears the cries of those who feel forgotten. God remains present in life's wilderness seasons. And because we have been heard by God, we are called to hear others with compassion and grace.

If you missed worship or would like to watch the message again, you can find the sermon here:

https://youtu.be/K1nFW-qF4Mk

I hope this message encourages you this week and reminds you that no matter what you are facing, God sees you, God hears you, and God is with you.

As we continue our Forming a Family/Preparing a People sermon serie...

06/22/2026

Daily Devotion — June 22, 2026

Returning to Your First Love:

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

"But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first."
— Revelation 2:4-5 (NRSVUE)

There is something sobering about these words from Jesus to the church in Ephesus.

This was not a church that had abandoned the faith altogether. In fact, if you read the surrounding verses, Jesus commends them for many things. They worked hard. They persevered through difficulties. They rejected false teaching. By many measures, they appeared to be a healthy and successful congregation.

Yet Jesus saw something that others could not see.

Beneath all their activity, something essential had been lost. They had abandoned the love they had at first.

Perhaps that's a warning many Christians need to hear today.

Faith can gradually become routine. We can attend worship, serve on committees, participate in Bible studies, and volunteer for ministries while our hearts slowly drift from the One we claim to serve. We can become so focused on doing things for Christ that we neglect simply being with Christ.

Most of us can remember seasons when our faith felt fresh and alive. We eagerly opened Scripture. Prayer was more than a habit, it was a conversation. Worship stirred our hearts. We were amazed by God's grace and grateful for Christ's sacrifice.

Over time, however, the demands of life can crowd in. Disappointments accumulate. Responsibilities multiply. Familiarity can dull our sense of wonder. Without even realizing it, we may find ourselves going through the motions.

The good news is that Jesus does not simply point out the problem. He also provides the path forward.

First, He says, remember. Think back to those moments when your heart burned with gratitude for God's love. Recall the ways God has been faithful throughout your life.

Second, He says, repent. Repentance is more than feeling guilty. It means turning around. It means recognizing where we have drifted and intentionally changing direction.

Third, He says, do the works you did at first. Reengage those practices that once nurtured your relationship with God. Spend time in prayer. Read Scripture not merely to gain information but to encounter the living God. Worship with expectation. Serve out of love rather than obligation.

Notice that Jesus' words are not those of an angry judge looking for reasons to condemn. They are the words of a loving Savior who desires a restored relationship. He sees what has been lost because He treasures what once existed.

If your faith feels dry today, take heart. Christ's invitation is not to try harder or do more. His invitation is to come back. The One who loved you first still calls you by name. The One who gave His life for you still desires your heart.

No matter how far you may feel from that first love, His grace is sufficient to lead you home.

A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us even when our hearts wander. Forgive us for the times we become distracted, complacent, or consumed by activity while neglecting our relationship with You. Help us remember the joy of Your salvation and the wonder of Your grace. Renew our love for You and teach us to follow You with whole hearts. Draw us closer each day, that our lives may reflect not only faithful service but genuine devotion. In Your holy name we pray. Amen.

06/21/2026

Daily Devotion — June 21, 2026

The Life We Find by Letting Go:

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

"Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it."
— Matthew 10:39 (NRSVUE)

At first glance, these words seem contradictory. We spend much of our lives trying to find ourselves. We pursue goals, build careers, make plans, seek security, and work toward the future we envision. None of those things are necessarily wrong. Yet Jesus warns us that when our lives become centered on ourselves, we can miss the very thing we are searching for.

The life Jesus describes is not merely existence. It is a life rooted in relationship with God. It is a life shaped by purpose, grace, service, and love. It is the abundant life that Christ came to give.

The problem is that our natural tendency is to hold tightly to control. We want to decide where we go, what we do, and how our lives unfold. We often prefer our plans over God's plans because our plans feel safer and more predictable.

Yet throughout Scripture, God calls people to let go and trust Him.

Abraham left his homeland without knowing exactly where God would lead him. Moses left the security of Midian to confront Pharaoh. Peter stepped out of the boat onto uncertain waters. Paul surrendered a life of status and influence to become a servant of Christ.

In each case, they gave up something. They released control, certainty, comfort, or ambition. Yet what they found was far greater than what they left behind.

The same principle remains true for us today.

When we lose our lives for Christ's sake, we are not abandoning who we are. Rather, we are becoming who God created us to be. We discover that our deepest purpose is not found in self-promotion but in faithful discipleship. We find joy not merely in getting our own way but in walking in God's way.

This surrender is rarely a one-time event. It happens daily. Each day we choose whether we will live for ourselves or follow Jesus. Each day we decide whether we will trust our own understanding or trust God's guidance.

The good news is that Christ never asks us to surrender our lives only to leave us empty-handed. He invites us to surrender because He has something better waiting for us. The life we find in Him is fuller, richer, and more meaningful than anything we could create on our own.

Today, consider what you may be holding too tightly. Is there a fear, a plan, a dream, or a burden that needs to be placed into God's hands? Jesus' promise remains true: when we lose our lives for His sake, we find the life we were truly meant to live.

A Prayer for Today:
Gracious Lord, we confess that we often cling tightly to our own plans and desires. Teach us to trust You more fully. Give us the courage to surrender whatever keeps us from following You wholeheartedly. Help us discover the joy, purpose, and peace that come from living for Christ. May our lives reflect Your love and Your will each day. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

06/20/2026

Daily Devotion — June 20, 2026

Living in the Light:

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

"Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered and nothing secret that will not become known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops."
— Luke 12:2-3 (NRSVUE)

At first glance, these words from Jesus may feel uncomfortable. Most of us would prefer that certain mistakes, failures, and embarrassing moments remain hidden. We spend a great deal of time managing appearances, trying to present the best version of ourselves to the world around us.

Yet Jesus reminds His followers of a simple truth: nothing is truly hidden from God.

In the context of this passage, Jesus has just warned His disciples about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Hypocrisy is not simply making mistakes or falling short. We all do that. Hypocrisy is pretending to be something we are not. It is creating a gap between our public image and our private reality.

Jesus calls His followers to something better. He calls us to lives of integrity. Integrity means that who we are in public is consistent with who we are in private. It means that our faith is not merely something we display on Sunday mornings but something that shapes our choices throughout the week.

The wonderful thing about the Christian life is that God already knows us completely. There is no secret we can hide from Him, no fear He does not see, and no struggle beyond His understanding. Because God knows us fully, we do not need to live behind masks. We can confess our sins, acknowledge our weaknesses, and trust in His mercy.

The light of Christ is not meant to expose us for the purpose of shame. Instead, His light brings healing, freedom, and transformation. Just as sunlight helps things grow, God's truth helps our faith mature. When we allow His light into every area of our lives, we become more honest, more faithful, and more like Christ.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to live openly before God. Not perfectly, but honestly. Not pretending to have it all together, but trusting that God's grace is sufficient even when we fall short.

Today, consider whether there are areas of your life that you have been reluctant to place before God. Bring them into His light. Trust His grace. Walk in His truth. The God who sees everything is also the God who loves completely.

A Prayer for Today:
Gracious God, thank You for knowing us completely and loving us still. Forgive us for the times we have hidden behind appearances or tried to conceal our struggles. Help us to live with integrity, allowing Your truth to shape our words, actions, and hearts. Shine the light of Christ into every part of our lives so that we may grow in faith and reflect Your love to others. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

06/19/2026

Daily Devotion — June 19, 2026

The Whole Message of This Life:

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

"Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life."
— Acts 5:20 (NRSVUE)

The setting of this verse makes the command even more remarkable. The apostles had been arrested because they were preaching about Jesus. The religious authorities wanted to stop the spread of the gospel and silence those who proclaimed it. Humanly speaking, the apostles had every reason to be discouraged.

Yet during the night, God intervened. An angel opened the prison doors and led them out to freedom. What happened next is important. The angel did not simply rescue them from danger. He gave them a purpose.

"Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life."

The apostles were not delivered merely for their own comfort. They were delivered so that they could continue their mission.

That phrase, "this life," is worth considering. The gospel is not merely a set of beliefs to agree with. It is life itself. Through Jesus Christ, we are invited into a relationship with God that transforms everything. We receive forgiveness for our sins, peace in the midst of uncertainty, strength for today's challenges, and the promise of eternal life.

Too often, people think Christianity is primarily about rules or religious obligations. But the message the apostles were sent to proclaim was a message of life. Jesus Himself said that He came so that people might have life and have it abundantly. The gospel is about being made new.

The angel also instructed them to tell the people the whole message. Not part of it. Not the convenient parts. Not only the comforting parts. The whole message includes God's love and God's truth. It includes grace and repentance. It includes forgiveness and discipleship. It includes the cross and the resurrection. The full gospel reveals both the depth of our need and the greatness of God's provision.

As Christians today, we have been entrusted with the same message. Most of us will never stand before a crowd in the temple courts, but God places people in our lives every day who need hope. Sometimes sharing the gospel happens through words. Sometimes it happens through acts of kindness, generosity, patience, or encouragement. Often it happens through both.

The challenge of this passage is not simply whether we know the message. The question is whether we are willing to live it and share it.

The apostles obeyed immediately. Despite the opposition they had faced, they returned to the very place where they had been arrested and continued teaching. Their courage came from knowing that the message was greater than their fears.

The same is true for us. The world still needs to hear the message of life found in Jesus Christ. May we be people who receive that life with gratitude and share it with faithfulness.

A Prayer for Today:
Gracious God, thank You for the gift of life that we have through Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your forgiveness, Your mercy, and Your unending love. Help us to embrace the whole message of the gospel and allow it to shape our hearts and lives. Give us courage to share Your hope with others and wisdom to be faithful witnesses wherever You place us. May our words and actions point people toward the life that is found in You alone. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

06/18/2026

Daily Devotion — June 18, 2026

Abounding in Steadfast Love:

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

"For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you."
— Psalm 86:5 (NRSVUE)

There are certain words in Scripture that we need to hear again and again because they speak directly to the places where we struggle most. Psalm 86:5 is one of those verses.

David begins with a simple but profound truth: God is good.

That may seem obvious, but it is easy to lose sight of when life becomes difficult. When prayers seem unanswered, when relationships are strained, when the future feels uncertain, we can begin to question whether God is really for us. The psalmist reminds us that God's goodness is not dependent on our circumstances. God is good because that is God's very nature.

The verse goes on to say that God is forgiving.

Many people carry around a burden of guilt. Sometimes it comes from things we have done. Sometimes it comes from things we have left undone. We replay old mistakes in our minds and wonder if God sees us the same way we see ourselves.

The good news of Scripture is that God does not hold forgiveness at arm's length. Throughout the Bible, we encounter a God who welcomes the repentant, restores the broken, and offers mercy again and again. God's forgiveness is not reluctant. It flows from a heart filled with compassion and grace.

Then comes perhaps the most beautiful phrase of all: God is "abounding in steadfast love."

Steadfast love is one of the Bible's favorite ways of describing God's relationship with God's people. It is faithful love. Covenant love. Love that does not disappear when circumstances change. Love that remains when we are struggling. Love that continues even when we fall short.

The psalmist does not say that God has a little steadfast love or just enough steadfast love. God abounds in it. There is more than enough grace, more than enough mercy, and more than enough love for whatever we face today.

And who is this love for?

"All who call on you."

That is an invitation. We do not have to earn God's attention. We do not have to prove ourselves worthy before approaching God. We are simply invited to call upon the One who is already good, forgiving, and overflowing with steadfast love.

Perhaps today you are carrying a burden that feels heavy. Perhaps there is a mistake you cannot seem to forget, a worry you cannot seem to shake, or a challenge that leaves you feeling overwhelmed. Psalm 86:5 invites you to bring it before God.

The God who hears you is good.
The God who hears you is forgiving.
The God who hears you abounds in steadfast love.
May that truth give you peace today.

A Prayer for Today:
Gracious and loving God, thank you for being good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love toward all who call on you. When we are burdened by guilt, remind us of your mercy. When we are discouraged, remind us of your goodness. When we feel alone, remind us that your steadfast love never leaves us. Help us to trust you more deeply and to share the same grace with others that you have shown to us. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

06/17/2026

Daily Devotion — June 17, 2026

A Night in Prayer:

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

"Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God."
— Luke 6:12 (NRSVUE)

One of the remarkable things about Jesus' ministry is how often he prayed.

Again and again throughout the Gospels, we find Jesus stepping away from the crowds, withdrawing from the demands of ministry, and spending time alone with God. In Luke 6, Jesus is preparing to choose the twelve apostles, the group of disciples who will accompany him, learn from him, and eventually help carry the message of the kingdom into the world. This is a significant moment, one that will shape much of what follows in his ministry.

And what does Jesus do before making this decision?

He prays.

Not for a few moments. Not for a brief blessing before moving on with his plans. Luke tells us that Jesus spent the entire night in prayer to God.

That detail is worth sitting with for a moment.

If anyone could have relied solely on their own wisdom, insight, or understanding, it would have been Jesus. Yet before taking this important step, he sought communion with the Father. He spent time listening, discerning, and resting in God's presence.

How often do we approach decisions differently?

Many of us tend to make plans first and pray later. We weigh the options, seek advice, worry about possible outcomes, and only then bring the matter before God. Sometimes prayer becomes the last resort instead of the first response.

But Jesus models another way. Prayer is not simply an emergency measure for difficult situations. It is the foundation for faithful living. Through prayer, we are reminded that we belong to God and that our lives are held within God's care.

Of course, most of us are not able to spend an entire night in prayer. Yet the example of Jesus invites us to cultivate a life that remains connected to God throughout the day. A few quiet moments in the morning, a prayer offered during a lunch break, a conversation with God while driving, or a moment of gratitude before bed can all become opportunities to draw near to the One who guides us.

Prayer may not always provide immediate answers. Sometimes God's guidance comes gradually. Sometimes the clarity we seek unfolds one step at a time. Yet prayer changes us. It centers us. It reminds us that we do not face life's decisions, challenges, and uncertainties on our own.

Today, whatever is on your heart, bring it before God. Whether it is a major decision, a lingering concern, a relationship, a hope for the future, or simply the ordinary tasks of the day, trust that God welcomes your prayers.

The same God who listened to Jesus on the mountain listens to you.

A Prayer for Today:
Gracious God, thank you for the gift of prayer and for your constant presence in our lives. When we face decisions, help us to seek your wisdom before relying on our own understanding. When we are anxious, remind us that you are near. When we are uncertain, guide our steps. Teach us to draw closer to you each day and to trust that you hear every prayer we offer. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

06/16/2026

What do you do when hope feels impossible?

In Genesis 18, Sarah laughs when she hears God's promise that she will have a child. After years of waiting and disappointment, the promise seems too good to be true.

But what if God's possibilities are greater than our expectations?

This week's message, A Miracle Called Laughter, explores how God remains faithful even when we struggle to see a way forward, how God welcomes our honest questions, and how God can transform laughter born from disappointment into laughter filled with joy.

Watch the sermon here:

https://youtu.be/1i8sC5yFILo

I hope it encourages you this week. If it speaks to you, feel free to share it with someone who could use a reminder that God is not finished with their story.

As we continue our series Forming a Family, Preparing a People, we ...

06/16/2026

Daily Devotion — June 16, 2026

A Life Well Lived:

If you’re looking for a brief reflection on this same verse, there is also a short video devotion attached here that offers a condensed version of this message.

"Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, old and full of years, and was gathered to his people."
— Genesis 25:8 (NRSVUE)

When we hear that someone has died, we often find ourselves reflecting on the story of their life. We remember the moments that shaped them, the people they loved, and the legacy they leave behind. In a single verse, Genesis summarizes the life of Abraham, one of the most important figures in Scripture.

Yet what is striking is not what the verse says, but what it does not say.

It does not mention the wealth Abraham accumulated. It does not list his accomplishments. It does not recount his travels, his influence, or the many chapters of his remarkable life. Instead, it simply tells us that he died in a good old age, full of years.

To understand why this matters, we have to remember the life Abraham lived.

God called Abraham to leave behind everything familiar and journey toward an unknown future. Along the way, Abraham experienced moments of extraordinary faith and moments of painful failure. He trusted God's promises, but he also struggled with doubt. He obeyed, stumbled, learned, and grew.

In many ways, Abraham's story is our story.

Most of us are not called to do something as dramatic as leaving our homeland and traveling to an unknown land. Yet every day we are invited to trust God with the unknowns in our own lives. We face decisions without having all the answers. We encounter challenges that test our faith. We discover that following God is often less about certainty and more about trust.

What made Abraham's life significant was not that he always got everything right. Scripture is refreshingly honest about his shortcomings. What made his life significant was that God remained faithful to him, and Abraham continued to respond to that faithfulness.

That can be encouraging for us.

Sometimes we imagine that a life well lived is a life free from mistakes. We compare ourselves to others and focus on our failures, regrets, or missed opportunities. But Abraham's story reminds us that God works through imperfect people. The measure of a faithful life is not perfection; it is persistence in trusting God.

As we reflect on Abraham's death, we are also invited to reflect on our own lives. What kind of people are we becoming? Are we growing in trust? Are we learning to follow God more closely? Are we allowing God's promises to shape the way we live?

The good news is that every day is another opportunity to walk with God. Every act of kindness, every prayer offered in faith, every step of obedience, no matter how small, becomes part of the story God is writing in and through us.

May we live in such a way that when people remember our lives, they see not our accomplishments alone, but the faithfulness of God shining through them. And may we, like Abraham, spend our days learning to trust the One who is faithful from beginning to end.

A Prayer for Today:
Gracious God, thank You for the witness of Abraham and for the reminder that a life well lived is rooted in faith and trust in You. Help us not to be discouraged by our imperfections, but to rely on Your faithfulness each day. Guide our steps, strengthen our hearts, and teach us to follow where You lead. May our lives reflect Your love and grace, and may we leave behind a legacy of faith that points others toward You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.