Marianne's FLASH💥DEVOS Podcast

1 Peter 3:8-9  “Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” + Divine restraint is an appropriate response to evil and insults. Bless the person, condemn the act, and amplify peace. Choose to act like Je...

Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”  + Translations for “grumbling or arguing” show how we cleverly negotiate with God. Can we thrive without complaining, disputing, murmurings, reasonings, arguments, or questioning the providence of God? Reach for becoming “bl...

Jeremiah 23:28-29 “Let the one who has my word speak it faithfully… Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” + Quoting scripture to make a point requires discernment in the right use of our authority. The wise consider silence. It’s a solemn responsibility to draw on the power of sacred speech. Let your humble life be your witness to the trans...

To thank you for reading and listening to my Flash💥Devos in October, I offer my article “Take Me to the Border with You” about my week serving at the Mexico/U.S. border. Sharing ministry of presence and welcoming migrants humbled me with valuable perspectives about the plight of immigrants worldwide. Today is National Immigrants Day which celebrates the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty in 1887....

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 mo...

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. Sorro...

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 ea...

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....

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. ...

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 d...

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, “Wh...

2 Corinthians 8:11 Get full access to Marianne’s Substack at marianneabellipschutz.substack.com/subscribe

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...

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 no...

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

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 everyo...

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

Proverbs 30:15-16 Get full access to Marianne’s Substack at marianneabellipschutz.substack.com/subscribe

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 wi...

Get full access to Marianne’s Substack at marianneabellipschutz.substack.com/subscribe

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 sp...

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 s...

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 tru...

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...

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...