THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL.
An Act of Compassion.

By Hal Steenson

April 20th, 2026

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8–9

Mollie and I hadn’t been to a Little League baseball game in years, so naturally, we were unfamiliar with the updated rules like coaches being pitchers, and players throwing the ball to the pitcher to stop any player from running to the next base.

However, some age-old “standards” popped up—like the young man in our stands that was suffering from the delusion that he was coaching both teams, yelling out orders to every kid! No matter what the base coaches said, he thought he was in charge. Never mind how they decided a close call, he verbalized his own opinion—loudly. It was disgusting, and I wondered what his son must think of him. Things haven’t changed that much, I thought.

The pitcher for our grandson’s team was a young man, but the opposing team’s pitcher was a lady named Michelle who worked at our local gas and convenience store. She was always cheerful and had a great personality, but I learned something deeper and richer about her that day.

Her team was at bat, and as the batter stepped to the plate, someone behind me whispered, “This is his first real ball game, and I think it’s his first time at bat! Let’s see how he does.”

He was a little chubby. And as awkward goes? That, too. But he positioned himself in the batter’s box and waited.

First throw—a swing and a miss.

Second throw—didn’t quite make it there. (She was being fair, but gentle.)

Third pitch and—bang! Off the bat and straight to the shortstop! The chubby kid ran as best he could, but was thrown out at first base.

He had never played in a real game before, though, so all he heard was Jenny yelling “Run Forrest, run!” as he ran for first base. He made it and just stood there with a big smile of achievement on his face!

The make-believe coach in our stands mouthed off, “Is that kid stupid? He’s out! He needs to get off the base so we can get on with the game!”

His wife told him to be quiet—and for his sake, I’m glad he did!

What could Michelle do? This was a real competition—and she was in a real Catch-22! However, that day it was competition with compassion, and we watched her walk slowly over to him and put her arm around his shoulder.

“Wow, you got a hit your very first time at bat! That’s great. Not many players can do that.” I overheard her say. “Now let’s go to the dugout, get some water, and wait for your next turn. That was awesome, though. You really smacked that ball!”

The kids in the dugout clapped for him, and he was a happy camper who never knew anything was wrong. Were it not for her simple act of compassion, that boy could have been humiliated and turned into a wounded, brokenhearted outsider. He could have been scarred for life during a Little League baseball game—because he didn’t know the rules.

Thank God for compassionate people like Michelle! I watched as she modestly walked back to the pitcher’s mound. Everyone was happy in Little League Heaven, and she probably didn’t realize she’d just saved that chubby little boy’s hopes and dreams.

Perhaps he will grow up to be a godly father, or maybe a guidance counselor helping chubby little kids change their lives. Who knows; he may become the Little League coach who puts his arm around your grandchild and says, “Wow, did you see what you did? That was great!”

Straight from God's word RSV 1952. Jacob had a dream about a stairway, ladder, to heaven.
Genesis 28:10-17 Jacob left Be'-er-she'ba, and went toward Har'an.
And he come in a certain place, and stayed there that night, because the sun had set.
Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep.
And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold, the angles of God were ascending and descending on it!
And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, "I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land of which you lie I will give to you and to your descendants;
and your descendants shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and by you and your descendants shall all the families of the earth bless themselves.
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done that of which I have spoken to you."
Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place; and I did not know it."
And he was afraid, and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

What an awesome God He is for letting us witness His beautiful creations.

Psalm 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

GoodDay, how awesome it is to be able to trust in the Lord and His unfailing love
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My Prayer:-
Dear Lord, thank you for your unfailing love and help me to always trust in you

Things to think on:-
-Do you expect God’s unfailing love each day
-Do you put your trust in the Lord
-Do you ask the Lord to show you His way to go
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May your day be filled with trusting the Lord as He shows you the way you need to go
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THE FIRST 15.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”

Ephesians 1:7

Grace is one of the most astounding and life-transforming aspects of God’s character. From the beginning of time God has chosen to lavish grace upon us instead of wrath. Time and time again, we’ve turned our backs on him. And time and time again he demonstrates the depth of his desire for us through the giving of his boundless grace. In his grace we are afforded a life not only apart from his wrath, but lived in the glory of relationship with our Creator through the redemption of Jesus.

Ephesians 1:7 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” Let’s look at a few of these ideas today and let them stir our affections for God. Allow God to speak through his word to the places of your heart where the grace of God hasn’t been given the opportunity to abound yet.

Paul says that in Jesus we have “redemption through his blood.” Have you thought about the nature of your redemption at length before? Colossians 1:19-22 says, “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. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” Such is the grace of your heavenly Father that there is not a single thing between you and him. You, who at one time stood apart from God, have been brought into the family of God, redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

Not only have you been redeemed once and for all, but you are forgiven both now and forever. Paul writes that we as believers have “the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1:7-10) Where in your life do you need forgiveness today? What do you feel is separating you from unveiled relationship with your heavenly Father? When you confess your sins, God offers you his forgiveness for anything you have done. “According to the riches of his grace,” which was made perfectly evident in the death of Jesus, you are being offered forgiveness. If God would send his Son to die in order to have restored relationship with you, you better believe he will forgive any trespass that seems to stand in your way now.

God doesn’t operate the way the world does. He doesn’t make you pay the penalty for your own sin. Instead, he offers perfect grace. In story after story in Scripture God turns the systems of the world on their head through the concept of grace. In the story of the prodigal son, the father allowed the son to dishonor him, set aside his rightful punishment, and threw a huge party for his wayward child returned home. He didn’t wait. He didn’t make him work for his redemption. He immediately offered him forgiveness freely in grace. God offers you the same today. Don’t attempt to pay for your own sin by separating yourself from the fullness of relationship with God. Jesus paid the only price necessary by his own death. Live in light of God’s grace. Offer your heart to God freely. Let him work out redemption in every area of your life that you might more fully experience the wonderful relationship you have available to you with God.

1. Take time to reflect on the amazing grace of God.

“He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!” Psalm 111:9

2. Talk to God about any area of your life you feel separated from him through sin or a lack of understanding. Where in your life do you not feel grace? What part of your thinking is dominated by condemnation or negativity?

3. Ask God for forgiveness and understanding of his grace in those areas of your life. Receive the freedom that comes from his presence and forgiveness

God works tirelessly to lead you into the fullness of relationship with him because he loves you. You are his child. He knows everything about you; he’s created you, and he loves spending time with you. May your affections be stirred towards him today. May you know and experience his love in mighty and transformative ways. May you spend your day in God’s presence, changed and empowered by the reality of his boundless grace.

Extended Reading: Ephesians 1

trying to search the gospel again and saw some things I thought was awesome. I don't post this so you think I am the Holy One but that we both might get to know the Word better in these uncertain and confused times in this world.
Hebrews 11:3 says in NKJV By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which seen were not made of things which are visible.

trying to search the gospel again and saw some things I thought was awesome. I don't post this so you think I am the Holy One but that we both might get to know the Word better in these uncertain and confused times in this world.
Hebrews 11:6 says in NKJV Butwithout faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

trying to search the gospel again and saw some things I thought was awesome. I don't post this so you think I am the Holy One but that we both might get to know the Word better in these uncertain and confused times in this world.
Hebrews 11:1-2 says in NKJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.