Today, we're diving into the idea of real 24/7 support (from our Lord), and how it contrasts sharply with the automated responses we often encounter in the tech world.

When you reach out for help, it can feel like you're stuck in a loop of robotic messages that lead you nowhere. But on the flip side, God's support is personal, immediate, and always available—He promises to answer us when we call.

Throughout this episode, we discuss how we can seek divine wisdom and encouragement, especially when the challenges of church communication feel overwhelming. It’s all about remembering that we’re not alone in this journey; we have a source of strength and guidance that’s ready to help us tackle our daily tasks and frustrations. Join me as we explore how to lean into that support and keep our spirits lifted.

Takeaways:

• God's promise of support is personal and unconditional, unlike automated responses from tech companies.
• We often have the skills needed but struggle with the process; God can provide clarity.
• It's important to reach out to God first for help, rather than as a last resort.
• When feeling overwhelmed, remember that seeking God's wisdom can lead to breakthroughs.
• God cares about every detail of our work, no matter how small or insignificant it seems.

Good morning. I'm Yvon Prehn, and I'd like to welcome you to Monday Devotions for Church Communicators.

This podcast will start your week with prayer and a challenge from God's Word. Our topic for week two is Real Support, 24/7, and our verse for our devotion today is Jeremiah 33:3,

Where it says, "Call to me and and I'll answer you."

Many computer and software companies promise support 24. 7. That sounds good, doesn't it?

But that support is often an endless series of automatic messages, referrals to canned answers, or a suggestion to go to the website and there to try to figure out the solution for yourself. And today we can add in an AI bot that can just make us absolutely crazy when we're trying to find out answers in response.

You can either keep pushing buttons in frustration or start yelling, or just give up knowing that it's almost impossible to talk to a real human being. In contrast, God's promise of support is personal, immediate, and unconditional. If we call, he answers.

We can call out to him for wisdom when our work in church communication seems overwhelming and we don't know what to do next. When we need wisdom, James 1:5 promises, when we ask for wisdom, he'll give it to us.

Often we have the skills to do the tasks we need to do.We just can't figure out the order or the process. God can give us that wisdom to put the processes in the right order to complete our projects. We can call out to him for encouragement.

We need it when working with Computers that never tire. A computer can work around the clock, but people aren't like that. But an odd thing has happened in offices since the advent of the computer.

In subtle ways, we tend to compare ourselves to the computer. We think we need to be a machine that never wears down, never quits, or gets discouraged. Sometimes the Lord is the only one who can lift your spirit.

In an office that perhaps unconsciously views people as machines, we can call out to Him for perseverance. Sometimes we think we simply can't learn a new program or figure out just one more project.

Yet if we stay with it an hour or a day longer, praying at the same time for insight and strength, often suddenly, things will become clear. Train yourself to call out to God first. So often we ask Him for help as a last resort.

He's merciful and kind and answers no matter when we remember to ask. But we could save ourselves a lot of frustration by asking for His help first.

We can call out to him sometimes not for anything specific at all.

Some days it seems like nobody on earth cares or pays attention. That may or may not be accurate, but no matter. Call out to your God.

He cares about you and is ready to listen and help with every concern, 24/7.

Now I'd like to pray for you as you go into your week.

Lord Jesus, I pray for the dear church communicators that are listening to this message.

Lord, I pray that they would call out to you when they're frustrated, when they're afraid, or when they're joyful and want to share a victory with you.

Lord, help them to realize that there is no task too small for your care and your concern, that you want to hear about everything that's going on, that you care about font choices and colors and processes and all of those things just as much as they do.

Lord, help them to realize that you're walking alongside them, with them every step of the way as they create communications for their church and to help people come to know you better and grow as your disciples, bless them today. Give them strength, courage.

In Jesus name, Amen.

For links to lots more materials to encourage you and help you be a better church communicator, go to the website www.effectivechurchcom.com. The book that the devotions are from is available on Amazon and it is entitled Devotions for Church Communicators.

Hopefully that's kind of easy to remember. And I would encourage you to keep listening each week for more encouragement and prayers for as you do your incredibly important work.