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Welcome to Dr. Casey's Weekly Devotionals
At Westminster Christian Academy, we believe in nurturing not only the minds but also the hearts of our students, families, and community. As the President, I am privileged to share regular reflections rooted in God’s Word, offering encouragement and inspiration as we journey together in faith. Each week I share a devotional with our faculty and staff centered around our theme of C.A.R.E. (Celebrate, Appreciate, Respect and Encourage).
This devotional page is a space where I can share biblical insights, spiritual wisdom, and personal experiences that speak to the challenges and joys we face each day. My hope is that these devotionals will serve as a reminder of God’s constant presence and grace in our lives, guiding us as we grow in wisdom, character, and faith. Thank you for visiting, and I invite you to explore and reflect alongside us.
Week of September 9, 2024
CARE - Celebrating Wonder: Acts 10 ESV
Cornelius was a centurion in Caesarea from the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave generously to people, and prayed continually. The wonder is that the Lord gave Cornelius a vision where an angel says to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.” He then instructs him to send men to Joppa (about 30 miles away) and bring Simon Peter. Why is this a wonder worth celebrating? Cornelius was a Gentile in the service of Rome, and though God fearing, he had not heard the Gospel yet. But God in His mercy and grace grants him a path to salvation for him and his household.
While Cornelius’ servants and devout soldiers are on the journey, Peter prays on the housetop and, while praying, grows hungry, desiring something to eat. As the food is being prepared, Peter falls into a trance, and the Lord grants him a vision of food on a sheet three times. The wonder that unfolds is that the Lord speaks to Peter, who refuses to eat the “common” or “unclean” food presented to him, declaring, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” The vision left Peter inwardly perplexed and pondering, but the Spirit instructed him to travel with the men sent by Cornelius without hesitation. Jewish Christ-follower and Gentile seeker soon to meet.
Upon Peter’s arrival, Cornelius recounts God’s vision and Peter proclaims, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all).” As Peter continues to preach the gospel, the Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles, and he affirms the same gift of salvation for the Jews is extended to the Gentiles, commanding them to be baptized in the name of Jesus.
How can we care for our neighbor? By celebrating the wonder of the gospel offered to all without partiality or prejudice.
Week of September 2, 2024
Celebrate: Acts 15:36-41; 2 Tim 4:11
When we think of the word celebrate, usually a party comes to mind around a certain occasion like a birthday, anniversary, or a championship victory. We typically think about a specific moment in time, or an accomplishment. But before time began, our Heavenly Father was celebrating us and who we would have the opportunity to become through the finished work of His Son Jesus Christ. My point is that God celebrates at the beginning because He sees in us what others don’t see, He believes in us when others don’t believe, and He champions us when others go quiet. Biblical care celebrates God’s way and not the way of the world. I remember playing for a college basketball coach that could not see in me my potential; it was hard after a successful high school career. But when I transferred to a college and played for a coach that celebrated my talent and style of play, he saw me, believed in me, and championed me, and we ended up winning a championship together.
In Acts chapter 15, Paul and Barnabas had been ministering together throughout Judea and Samaria among the Gentiles. They stood strong together on the grace of the gospel and against those who asserted that salvation was not completed unless Gentile believers were circumcised according to the custom of Moses. As they prepared to return and visit the brothers in every city, a sharp disagreement arose between them over John called Mark. Paul did not want him on the journey because he abandoned them in the work earlier, but Barnabas saw Mark differently. So off Paul went with Silas and Barnabas with Mark. How is this instructive?
You see, Barnabas saw in Mark what Paul could not see at that time. He believed in him when Paul couldn’t, and he championed him when Paul wouldn’t. But the story doesn’t end there. Later, Paul in his second letter to Timothy says, “Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” Paul's view of Mark changed. Through the eyes of faith we can care for those around us by celebrating each other along the journey and not waiting until we reach the destination.
Week of August 19, 2024
“Care-full”: Matthew 5:7 MSG
The Apostle Matthew recounts The Sermon on the Mount, which was Jesus teaching his disciples about God’s kingdom, beginning with what are called The Beatitudes. A beatitude is named from the initial words (beati sunt, “blessed are”) of those sayings in the Latin Vulgate Bible. The eight beatitudes describe the blessedness of those who have certain qualities or experiences peculiar to those belonging to the Kingdom of Heaven. They also correspond to four woes in Luke's gospel. One of the beatitudes Jesus declared was, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” The Greek word for mercy is eleémón, which can also be translated as compassionate, describing one who is actively caring for others.
The Message articulates the beatitude this way, “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.” Envision that, when we concentrate on putting others before ourselves, and allowing ourselves to become “full of care” or “care-full,” the remarkable effect is that we find ourselves cared for in unexpected ways. Jesus tells us this is the blessed way His Kingdom works. Biblical care requires commitment, concentration, and consistency: commitment to depending on the Holy Spirit to fill us with His mercy, compassion and care-fullness; concentration to employ this blessing in the service of others; and consistency to cultivate this Christlike beatitude. May we receive and walk in His grace to be blessed and be a blessing to others.
Week of August 12, 2024
C.A.R.E.: Galatians 6:10 MSG
Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, had plenty to say about grace, and the need to stay walking in step with the Spirit. In Chapter 6, he highlighted the need to bear one another's burdens by restoring others in a spirit of gentleness, being watchful ourselves, sharing in all good things, and remembering that whatever one sows, that will we also reap. Also, the reminder that sowing to the flesh reaps corruption, but sowing to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” Galatians 6:9-10.
I like the way The Message states verse 10, “Right now, therefore, every time we get a chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. At WCA, we are called to care for our students, parents, and colleagues on a consistent basis. Care is more than just making someone feel good, but concentrating on answering an email in a timely manner, communicating more effectively, preparing quality lesson plans, concentrating on encouragement more than infractions, and providing quality constituent services. My prayer this year is that C.A.R.E is more than a theme or slogan, but an active practice of Celebrating, Appreciating, Respecting, and Encouraging one another as a vibrant Christian educational community of faith.