Doc's Devotionals

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 February 3, 2025

Genealogy of Jesus a Messy Family Tree: Matthew 1:1-2:6 ESV

No, I am not going to list the whole genealogy of Jesus, but rather reference verses 1 & 17, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. . . So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.” Forty-two generations of the messianic line with remarkably chosen, but broken people. It was a messy family tree that Jesus entered the world from. Abraham a liar, Jacob a deceiver, Judah a philanderer, Rahab a Gentile prostitute, Ruth a Moabite child of incest, David an adulterer and accessory to murder, Solomon an idolatrous womanizer, Rehoboam divided a kingdom, Joram murdered his six brothers, and Manasseh sacrificed his own son to false gods. This is just a random sample of Jesus' dysfunctional roots, but it did not define Him. His identity, purpose and mission came from God the Father.

Remember, Matthew was a tax collector viewed as a traitor by the Jewish people. But when Jesus encountered and called him, he became the inspired writer of this Gospel. His audience was largely Jewish Christians, and he wanted to connect the covenant lineage of Jesus by explaining, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way.” He outlines the Holy Spirit experiences of Mary and Joseph, the miraculous conception and angelic instructions of the child's name, Jesus. Throughout the narrative, the child is revealed as Messiah, Jesus, Immanuel, and the wise men inquire, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” This heavenly invasion of the Christ child troubled Herod the king and all Jerusalem with him. Through the chaos, Jesus went on living His life for the glory of the Father without letting His family tree define or deter Him. We all have brokenness and dysfunctions in our family trees, but God uses some pretty messed up people to accomplish His glorious purposes.

Week of January 13, 2025

Life & Teachings of Jesus: The Word  John 1:1-18 ESV

Throughout the second semester I will be conducting a series of devotions on The Life & Teachings of Jesus. The focus will be on reminding ourselves what the gospels have to say about how Jesus - the boy, the man, the anointed one, and Messiah - lived on earth and what was the major focus and emphasis of His teachings. Genesis 1:1 inaugurates the scripture by proclaiming,“In the beginning God . . . [pause added] created the heavens and the earth” What a powerful reminder that before anything was created God is. The Gospel of John echoes this by stating, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus in eternal communion with the Father and Holy Spirit is sent and brings life and light to all mankind. His light shines in the darkness of this fallen world and will never be overcome.What Great News!

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” The life and light of Jesus did not just come to illuminate those who believed in His name, but to regenerate them through the power of God to become children of God - to be born again as sons and daughters of God. This rescue mission of regeneration is the work of God from beginning to end. How great a salvation! 
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.” John in his gospel places Jesus in a unique relationship with John the Baptist and the law of Moses: Jesus, the Messiah, in the line of the Law and the Prophets in which the fullness of grace and truth has come. In the days ahead we will examine the early life of Jesus as he was in preparation for His public ministry.

Week of December 9, 2024

Entrusted with the Gospel: I Thessalonians 1:1-2:1-12

Paul, Silas, and Timothy wrote to believers in Thessalonica. It is a unique letter of plurality. “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly remembering you in our prayers… For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction… And you became imitators of us and of the Lord.”  We, Our, Us. Reminders throughout that the gospel is good news stewarded as co-laborers in Christ. Though Paul was called in the authority and power of an apostle, they all ministered together in humility and care for young Christians in the city with steadfastness and compassion. Because the believers in Thessalonica had become so dear to Paul, he delighted in not only in sharing in the Gospel, but giving himself to living a shared life.

“We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.”  Paul understood that the Gospel had been entrusted to him, a sacred trust, to be shared in word and way of life.

Week of November 18, 2024

Giving Thanks is God’s Will: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 ESV

The apostle Paul in writing to the Thessalonians is teaching them how to live in this present age and preparing them for the coming of the Lord. In the beginning of chapter five Paul reminds them, “Now concerning the times and seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”  His point was to be fully awake and clear-eyed about how we live and to be encouraging one another and building one another up. So what are some of the ways we can practically do this? Many times we get preoccupied with wondering what the will of God is for our lives and what He is calling us to do, but His will is revealed through His Word and illuminated by His Spirit. So as we hear what the Scriptures have to say about following Him in this life, we need to put these teachings into practice.

Paul instructs the Thessalonians and us as we listen, “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” Among many of Paul’s teachings, giving thanks in all circumstances is always God’s will.

Week of October 28, 2024

God’s Ultimate Concern for You Today: Romans 8:31-39 ESV

Paul in his letter to the Romans (Chapter 8) reminds fellow believers that there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ as they walk in newness of life in the Spirit. We are now heirs with Christ for we, “Did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” This remarkable inheritance we have received is just the down payment for the future glory that is to come. Though there are present sufferings, it won’t compare to the glory that will be revealed. Because of the Fall and the futility that accompanies it, creation groans, we groan, and the Spirit groans within us for future freedom. But His promised Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses, intercedes for us according to the will of God, and works all things together for His good purpose.

What is God’s ultimate concern for you today as His child? That you know that nothing can separate you from God’s everlasting love. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” In the midst of intense hardships Paul asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I AM SURE that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Many times the one who is most against us is ourselves. Whether it is self-condemnation, not feeling enough, guilt, shame, or struggles with our own real or perceived inadequacies. You can be sure today that nothing will separate you from God’s love for you!

Week of October 7, 2024

Praying For Spiritual Strength: Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians recounts their spiritual blessings in Christ that include being chosen, cleansed, adopted, redeemed, and forgiven to name a few. All of God’s purpose which He set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, was to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. This is a stunning revelation that Paul is explaining. Salvation is not just a personal relationship with God, but extends to redeeming and restoring unity to the entire cosmos (things both seen and unseen).

Paul continues to explain in chapters two and three how salvation is by grace through faith and extends to the Gentiles, who though once alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, are now brought near by the blood of Christ and have become part of one family. This great mystery of the Gentiles as fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise of Christ Jesus through the gospel was both shocking and scandalous in Ephesus (now modern day Turkey). Paul the former persecutor of the church now has a unique grace to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. But the calling did not come without suffering.

In this context, the Apostle Paul prays a powerful prayer that we all can join in for ourselves and others today. “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Week of September 30, 2024

The Caring Preeminence of Christ: Colossians 1:15-20 ESV

According to the New Testament, God is Spirit (John 4:24), love (1 John 4:8,16), and light (1 John 1:5). There is much that could be said about these verses, but simply put, God gives us life and eternal life by his Spirit, relationship and superintending care by His steadfast love, and liberating truth through the light of His word. Paul urged the Colossians to remember, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

This past week I had the privilege to serve as 6th grade chaperone for the Houston field trip to the Holocaust Museum and NASA Space Center. I was impressed how our students understood that our visit to the Holocaust Museum was a sacred and solemn moment. I was moved by how they listened enthralled to Mrs. Ruth Steinfeld (Holocaust survivor) recount her harrowing experience. Then to see our students' inquisitiveness and playfulness at the NASA Space Center. They watched a video of numerous astronauts describing the wonder of their first time seeing the earth from space. As I pondered these contrasting historical moments of profound tragedy and spectacular triumph, these verses from Colossians came to my mind. It reminded me how much God cares for His children through the dark valleys and bright mountain tops of life. His providential care and preeminence through Christ truly demonstrate that He is a good Father.

Week of September 23, 2024

New Mercies: Romans 11:32-12:2

Many of us are familiar with Lamentations 3:22-24, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.” Jeremiah was known as the “Weeping Prophet” to the nation of Judah because he was a man familiar with affliction and suffering and wept over the wickedness of his people and the impending judgment the nation’s sins had provoked. But he also knew well of God’s covenant faithfulness and the mercy that awaited for those who would turn to Him.

Paul in his letter to the Romans speaks of the mystery of the remnant of Israel, chosen by grace, that would serve Messiah Jesus, and how Gentiles would be grafted into full inclusion to the gospel of salvation. “For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.” Wow! Paul exclaims, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

As Paul expounds on the mystery of God’s mercy and salvation in Romans 12 he implores those Christ-followers: “I appeal to you therefore brothers, by the mercies of God (in view of God’s mercy), to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world , but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” His new mercies always call us to surrender, worship, transformation and discernment to do His will His way.

Week of September 16, 2024

WCA Accreditation in His Name: Colossians 3:12-17 ESV

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Our previous head of school, Mr. Scott Davis, left a legacy of “Making Good Tables.” The inspiration and focus was on doing whatever we put our hands to with excellence and to the glory of God. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Colossians that we should put on the new self in Christ, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of our creator, and put to death what is earthly in us, putting off the old self. This new life, with Christ’s word dwelling in us richly, leads to thankfulness and sanctified service. As WCA has been preparing for our accreditation visit with ACSI this November 10-13, our administration, faculty and staff have been working diligently to write our Self-Study, compile Supporting Evidences, complete the Standard 11 Checklist and finalize our Visiting Team schedule - doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him for His school. Soli Deo Gloria!

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.