Daily Devotionals for Lent
February 25, 1998 - April 12, 1998
Written by members of
Reformation Lutheran Church
a member church of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Reformation Lutheran Church
7601 East 13th St. N.
Wichita, KS 67206-1278
316-634-0586
Ash Wednesday February 25, 1998
Palm Sunday April 5, 1998
Holy Week April 6-11, 1998
Easter Sunday April 12, 1998
Worship services held every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Lenten services held every Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
These devotionals may be found on the Internet at
http://www.reformation-lutheran.org/lent/1998
Co-Editors: Lynda Carrier-Metz and Dr. Mark Yeskie
God bless each of those writers who chose to dedicate
their time and
talents to contribute to the Reformation Lutheran Church Lenten Devotional
Feb. 25 Larry Frank
Feb. 26 Sheryl Johnson
Feb. 27 Dawn Gorges
Feb. 28 Rich McDiffett
Mar. 1 Kathy Wegner
Mar. 2 Quinn Gorges
Mar. 3 Judy McDiffett
Mar. 4 Georgene Kreeger
Mar. 5 Dick Kreeger
Mar. 6 Carla Johnson
Mar. 7 Sara Muse
Mar. 8 Jerry Whetstone
Mar. 9 Ruth Koepsel
Mar. 10 Deaconess Doreen Leptien
Mar. 11 Kevin Pfeiffer
Mar. 12 Monica Mansholt
Mar. 13 Author Unknown
Mar. 14 Amy Pletcher
Mar. 15 Andy Martin
Mar. 16 David English
Mar. 17 Ashley Woodard
Mar. 18 Wil Johnson
Mar. 19 Dallas Cronk
|
Mar. 20 Susayn Brandes
Mar. 21 Suzanne Koch
Mar. 22 Marsha Meili
Mar. 23 Leslie English
Mar. 24 Dee Hambright
Mar. 25 Shari Ryding
Mar. 26 Jill Pletcher
Mar. 27 Dr. Steen Mortensen
Mar. 28 Carl R. Nelson
Mar. 29 Pastor Robert Kloth
Mar. 30 Brett Hansen
Mar. 31 Keith Martin
Apr. 1 Kristin Blomquist
Apr. 2 Amy Ryding
Apr. 3 Mary Ward Pfeiffer
Apr. 4 Pauline Latham
Apr. 5 Pat Johnson
Apr. 6 Laura Nott
Apr. 7 Lynn Ramsey
Apr. 8 Nancy Taylor*
Apr. 9 Lisa Ritchie*
Apr. 10 Lynda Carrier-Metz
Apr. 11 Dawn Gorges
Apr. 12 Pastor Dr. Gerald Mansholt
|
*Guest writer
Cover Artwork: Kevin Pfeiffer
Back Cover Artwork: Loran Park
O Lord, throughout these forty days
You prayed and kept the fast;
Inspire repentance for our sin,
And free us from our past
You strove with Satan and you won;
Your faithfulness endured;
Lend us your nerve, your skill and trust
In Gods eternal Word.
Though parched and hungry, yet you prayed
And fixed your mind above;
So teach us to deny ourselves
That we may know God's love.
Be with us through this season, Lord,
And all our earthly days,
That when the final Easter dawns,
We join in heaven's praise. O Lord, throughout These Forty Days.
Text based on Claudia F. Hernaman, 1838-1898
"I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me."
-Philippians 4:13
Our hope as you grow in God's word
God made many promises to us in the Bible. Philippians 4:13 is only
one of these assurances. To those who this book is presented, let them be moved to set a
special time aside each day to read, meditate, and listen for what God intends. May our
hearts be softened to hear Gods message. The words shared by the writers of this
devotional should be an inspiration to us all to honor God through prayer and praise.
Daily Prayer
During your time of daily prayer, a suggested method of worship
would be to first, praise God. Next, pray for forgiveness through the Lords' prayer. Be
specific regarding things you have done, or left undone. Give thanks. Praise God for all
He has provided. Lastly, pray for others. Pray for those near and those you may not know.
Pray for healing, forgiveness, and those in need. Complete this time of prayer with a
moment of silence to "listen" to what God wants and to make known to you how He
desires you to spend your day.
Special thanks!
Pauline Latham, Russell Muse, Amy Pletcher, Barbara Lee, Kim Hansen,
and Lynn Ramsey for writer assignments. Your time is greatly appreciated. Thanks to those
who distributed these teachings to our members and others throughout the community.
| February 25, 1998 |
Matthew 6: 16-21 |
Jesus Talks About Giving, Praying and Fasting.
Ash Wednesday, the onset of Lent; a time when Christians think of
repentance - the ashes remind us that we are mortal - and to dust we will return.
In our text, Jesus says, "when you give, when you pray, when
you fast." Jesus just seems to assume or take for granted that we will give, pray,
and fast. But his words advise us to be careful how we practice our faith, for he knows we
like to be praised, we like to be seen and noticed by others.
He warns, "don't be like the others, like the hypocrites."
The word hypocrite was originally a theatrical term describing actors who concealed their
identity behind dramatic masks. The sin of hypocrisy then is wearing a mask, pretending to
be who we are not. We do not like to be around hypocrites, or to be called one.
Hypocritical friends get dropped and hypocritical preachers lose the trusting ears and
support of their congregations. The adoration of the crowd is all they get. "Truly I
tell you," Jesus says, "they have received their reward."
Looking more closely at what Jesus says, the people that Jesus takes
on are sort of missing the boat in their religious life, in giving, praying and fasting.
These are people who give to the poor, pray and fast. He is not referring to people who
thumb their nose at the church, who do not give, pray or fast. He is speaking about the
ones who do. People who practice their faith, are charitable, who pray, and try to
live their faith. He is talking about all of us. Those who pledge, volunteer, serve on
Church Council, sing in choir and attend Sunday school. He is referring to leaders and
members. Jesus said these things because those of faith just did not take their faith far
enough. They only went part of the way, when just around the corner was the affirmation
and blessing of God. Jesus' reprimand is intended to reclaim us, to turn us around, and
not to destroy. God promises to come to us in mercy and redemption. For we are all
pretenders, and none of us are worthy of God's love and mercy. God is there to give it, in
spite of who we are. God looks behind our masks and loves and cares for us. He invites us
to come to the table where we find forgiveness in the Body and Blood of Jesus.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in this special season, help
us to repent, to turn around, to change our lives as we renew our service to your church.
Oh Lord, have mercy on us and hear our prayer. Amen.
| February 26, 1998 |
Psalm 6 |
The Power of Prayer
I never really understood the Power of Prayer until I experienced it
in my own life. I was always taught to pray when I was growing up, and I did, when I
wanted or needed something in particular. But I never realized how important and powerful
prayer would be until about two years ago.
My health was uncertain and terminal breast cancer or leukemia were
very real possibilities in my future. I began praying as I had never prayed before. My
family began praying. My friends began praying. My church family began praying. My
family's churches began praying. My friend's churches began praying and it WORKED! The
Lord answered all our prayers. He gave me a new lease on life.
I have since changed the way I pray and the way I look at prayer. I
pray everyday - not just when I have a need or a want. I pray for others and their needs -
not just for myself. I believe truly in my heart that God does answer ALL prayers in one
way or another. I know that prayer changed my life and it will change everyone's life, if
they just do it. I know that praying to my Lord makes me feel great and makes my day. I
hope this will inspire you to what the Power of Prayer can do for you in your own life.
Prayer: O Lord, Our Father in Heaven, please let us
all experience what the Power of Prayer can do in each of our lives. Remind us that you
are always there to listen to us when no one else is around. Keep us steadfast in our
faith and love for you in this Lenten season. Amen.
| February 27, 1998 |
Genesis 22: 1-18 |
The Grace of God
This passage strikes terror in a mother's heart. I wonder if Sarah
knew where Abraham was taking their beloved son and what he planned to do with him once
they arrived. I suspect not. Sarah never had quite the faith that Abraham did. She was a
skeptic. Remember, she laughed when she learned that in her old age she would bear a
child. Wanting to be in control was also a characteristic of Sarah. She was utterly
ruthless to her maid Hagar. Sarah's treatment of Hagar grew first out of her impatience
with God and then with her jealousy of Hagar. So, it is highly unlikely that Sarah would
have shared Abraham's faith or courage in taking their son to the mountain. More likely,
in her anguish she would have railed fiercely against God.
We tend to be more like Sarah than Abraham. We doubt, we question,
we challenge God's will. Thankfully, God is unceasingly gracious and understanding of our
failings. Despite their differences God blessed both Abraham and Sarah. We can take heart
in that. Despite our shortcomings, as long as we believe, God will be with us, as he was
with Sarah.
Prayer: Patient Lord, Sometimes we don't try very
hard to trust you, honor you or serve you. Wondrously, you look beyond all our
imperfections and continue to bless us. Forgive us when we fail you and help us seek to
mirror the life of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
| February 28, 1998 |
Romans 8: 31-39 |
God's Gift of Love
Our family recently has experienced a very traumatic loss; a close
family friend was murdered by a family member. Indeed, her own child. The shock of grief
has rippled throughout the extended family and friends. Why? How could a child closely
bonded to his mother take her life? That question may be answered in time, but for the
present those loved ones left, continue to suffer through the anguish of the loss.
In his letter to the Roman church, Paul discussed this issue of
suffering. Because Christ suffered and died for our sins, he has demonstrated his love for
us. It is our decision to accept that love. Paul writes, "If God is for us, who can
be against us?" Today, as in Paul's day, Christ sits at the right-hand of God,
interceding for our sake. He shares in our suffering just as he has for his people since
the beginning of time. Nothing on earth can separate us from our God.
I don't believe God allowed this death so we could suffer. It was a
tragic episode in our life. But because of our suffering, he is there for us extending
comfort and hope. He will always be there for us when we need him most. We just need to
reach out in prayer.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of
your love. We are grateful that you sent your one and only son to call us. We know that in
times of suffering your grace shines more perfect through us. Thank you for lifting us in
your love. Amen.
| March 1, 1998 |
Mark 1: 12-15 |
Lead Us from Temptation
This scripture tells of the story of Jesus being sent to the desert
for 40 days and subjected to Satan's temptation of sin. Afterwards Angels were sent to
take care of Jesus.
Life is full of temptations. Children may be tempted to cheat on a
test. A young adult may be tempted to shoplift. An adult may be tempted to take credit for
someone else's accomplishments. I believe we all have an angel to watch over us. It is up
to us to lead a life the way our Lord has taught us and deal with situations as they
arise.
My grandfather was a wonderful role model. He was the Vice President
of a small town bank, raised beagles and Shetland ponies, and was very active in his
church. Every Memorial Day grandpa would drive to all the cemeteries in the area to place
flags on the Veteran's graves. Grandpa would call the roll call and my brother and I would
place the flags on the graves. Grandpa was blessed with good health until he was in his
late 70's. At that time he was diagnosed with borderline diabetes. At the age of 79, his
leg was amputated right above the knee. One year later, his remaining leg was also
amputated. Grandpa struggled with rehabilitation during that time adapting to being
without his limbs and coping with a wheelchair. It would have been so easy for grandpa to
give up and ask why this was happening to him. But he never did. Instead he accepted what
was happening and decided to learn from the experience. A scooter was purchased so that he
could get around and drive himself into town. A ramp was built at the Church so that he
could drive right into the sanctuary for the service. Grandma would follow him in her car
on the way to Church. (My brother and I were always afraid that grandma would run over
him.) Grandpa remained active in his Church until he passed away at the age of 85, 11
months after grandma passed away. Grandpa could have been bitter. He knew, though, that
God never gives you more than you can handle and believed with all his heart that God
would take care of him. We all need to put our trust in God and turn from the temptations
that are presented to us daily.
When Jesus returned from the desert, he told us to turn from sin and
rejoice that God's kingdom is near. Though he said these words many years ago, they are
still true now.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, please help us remember that you are always
with us. Help us turn from sin so that we may enter your Father’s Kingdom and rejoice
with all that have left this earthly world before us. Amen.
| March 2, 1998 |
Psalm 115: 1, 9-18 |
"But we will bless the Lord from this time on
and forevermore. Praise the Lord."
The Israelites were very enthusiastic in praising God. Not only did
they praise God, but they affirmed his love for them. They also affirmed through praise
his protection of them and his care for them.
We each praise God in our own way. One of the first ways I remember
praising God was singing "Jesus Loves Me" with all my friends in Sunday school
when I was in preschool. I still like to express my faith through music. However, now my
taste runs more toward the "Hallelujah Chorus."
Just as I have changed, so have my ways of praising God. There are
as many different ways of showing faith, as there are people. Just as people change, so
can their methods of praising God. One thing remains unwavering, and that is God's love
for us.
Prayer: Dear Lord, You are our Creator, our Savior,
and our source of guidance and love. Help us not to just experience faith, but to show it.
Help us to know of your steadfast and eternal love and to reflect that love onto all that
we do. In your name we pray. Amen.
| March 3, 1998 |
Genesis 28: 10-22 |
God's Grace
The verses in Genesis tell us about Jacob, the youngest son of
Isaac. Jacob used deception to receive his father's blessing, a blessing that was reserved
for the - eldest son, Esau. Esau was angry when he learned Jacob had stolen his blessing
and he threatened to kill Jacob. Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau urged Jacob to flee
when she learned of Esau's threat,
Isaac sent Jacob to Rebekah's homeland. On his journey "he came
to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set." He fell
asleep and dreamed of a ladder set upon earth that reached into heaven. He dreamed of
angels ascending and descending the ladder.
My Study Bible indicates that the angels, "God's messengers,
symbolize the constant, gracious activity of God directing the affairs of earth."
They were sent by God to assure Jacob that he was in God's care. These verses remind us
that God, who is gracious to us, will forgive us our sins.
Years ago I had a dream In which I was supposed to step across a
line. I did not want to step across the line because I was not ready, I was not "good
enough." When I awoke I felt the line was a symbolic line between life and death. I
had not wanted to cross the line because I did not feel I was good enough to enter heaven.
I also realized I could never, on my own, be worthy of heaven. Thanks be to God that we
are not going to be judged on the basis of our personal goodness. God sent his son, Jesus
Christ, to die for our sins. We are saved by grace, God's grace.
Prayer: Thank you God for sending Christ to save us
from our sins. Thank you for the grace you have given us. Thank you for accepting us as we
are, even though we are not "good enough." Amen.
| March 4, 1998 |
Luke 6: 12-16 |
Prepare Us
Jesus went out to a Mountainside to pray, and spent the night there
praying to God. When morning came he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them,
calling them apostles.
We sing the wonderful song, "Here am I, Lord." "I
heard you calling in the night," Are we ready to move as disciples and as apostles?
Jesus chose a diverse group of people to work for his kingdom; surely we have a place to
serve. Can we relate to undesirable people and invite them to the party, as did the
Levite? Do we look down our noses, as did the Pharisees? Our church is ready to move out
across the world into all groups of people and needs disciples who can accept and love
everybody.
Were you told - as I was - to stay away from any particular type of
people? Could the disciples do that? Could modern-day workers for the kingdom do that? Can
we open our hearts to all of God's people? Jesus called a motley crew of disciples to
spread the Good News, and now he is calling you to serve his church.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please cleanse and open
our hearts so that we look at every one we meet as a child of yours. Thank you for letting
us be workers in your kingdom. Amen.
| March 5, 1998 |
Romans 5: 1-5 |
Faith Through Christ
Justification through faith, perseverance of this faith through
difficult times and the kindling of the fire that burns in our hearts.
These are phrases we have all heard many times and most of us
believe them . . . to a degree.
The peace of God, which we strive for, is also sometimes difficult
to grasp when we are weighted down with our daily burdens of life.
We do not achieve the kind of faith Paul is discussing through our
own efforts; we must understand faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit. We can open our hearts
and provide for it fertile soil in which it may grow and flourish. We must persevere by
daily coming before our Lord with open and penitent hearts.
Only in this way can we begin to enjoy the peace of God.
Prayer: Father, forgive us for trying to be faithful
by our own devices. Open our hearts and fan the flames of love and hope that you put
there. Amen
| March 6, 1998 |
Romans 5: 6-11 |
Thanks Be to You, Lord!
What a perfect day! The high is to be 70 degrees (in January). The
sun is shining, there is a light breeze. My thoughts are "what did we Kansas
residents do to deserve such a glorious day?" And then it hit me! We didn't deserve
this day; we didn't earn it. It wasn't payment for a job well done. It just is! I
compare it to Jesus' death on the cross for us, and the salvation we receive. We don't
deserve that - we didn't earn everlasting life and yet we get to reap the benefits.
Awesome, mind-boggling, isn't it? We can never thank him enough!
Prayer: Lord, help us be ever mindful of all you have
done for us. May we in turn share the wondrous news with all. With sincere thanks. Amen.
| March 7, 1998 |
Mark 8: 31-33 |
Even When We Think He's Not!
Many a time I find myself, when in trouble, turning to Matthew
chapter 16 verse 23. In this passage Jesus Says to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You
are in my way because you think like everyone else and not like God." What is this
telling us? When I read this it reminds me that God put Satan on earth. He is everywhere,
always tempting us, always trying to make us do wrong. We always need to look behind us,
knowing that temptation is out there, yet also knowing that God is there with us, guiding
us every step of the way. God loves us and would never let harm come to us. He is always
by our side, and with him there, we can truly tell Satan to get behind us and not to get
in our way.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you so much for all you have
given to us. For the knowledge that through you we will never be overcome by Satan. Thank
you for being with us and allowing us to know temptation and to keep away from it. Thank
you for being by our side and always keeping us on your path, the path to righteousness.
| March 8, 1998 |
Mark 8: 34-38 |
Jesus Calls Us to Be His Followers
Jesus said that if we want to be his followers, we must first deny
ourselves. We must take up the cross. And to save our life we must first lose it for his
names sake. These can be difficult words and we might feel overwhelmed at these commands.
In this world of instant gratification, denying one's self in any
manner can seem difficult if not impossible. We want it all and we want it now. But Jesus
wants us to put aside our own self-interests and to look upon the world with compassion.
He wants us to realize that all the possessions, all the power, and all the pleasures we
can acquire are all worthless without the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
To truly experience the abundance of God's world, we only need to
share his love with everyone with which we come in contact. Only by giving can we truly
receive the rewards that he promises to each and every one.
Deny one's self? Yes, by sharing with others.
Take up the Cross? Yes, by showing love and compassion for everyone.
Lose ones life? Yes, by giving it to Christ and accepting his
promise of eternal fife.
Prayer: Heavenly father, help us to deny ourselves
and take up the cross by being willing to share your love and compassion with everyone.
Help us to live in a manner that will glorify your name. In Jesus name. Amen.
| March 9, 1998 |
Psalm 19: 7-10 |
Guide Me Down the Right Path, O Lord!
How difficult it is in our world today to always know
"right" from "wrong" - or at least to be sure of ourselves. We are
constantly bombarded with headlines and soundbites that blare out a view from one side or
the other - whether it is the Right or the Left - Liberal or Conservative - City or County
- School Board or Superintendent - The U.S. or the U.N. - Developers or Environmentalists
. . . and everyday the debate and/or the rush to judgement goes on. There are those who
fall into all of these categories who call themselves Christians, yet they are often the
first to declare that their "laws" or "truths" or
"judgements" are the only RIGHT ones. If we truly are Christians, how can we
possibly even begin to pass judgment on others? We will never earn the right to "cast
the first stone."
This Psalm reminds us that it is God's laws and commands that
"revive the soul" and "give joy to the heart," and "give light to
the eye." By following God's commands and living in the way of his Son, Jesus Christ,
we CAN and WILL know right from wrong. We can make that decision in our hearts and minds
without the never-ending clamor of the world around us.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Help us always to listen to your
commands. Let them lead us in our daily lives. May our souls be revived and may there be
joy in our hearts as we work hard every day to do your will in our lives and in the lives
of others. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
| March 10, 1998 |
Psalm 19: 11-14 |
Wash Away My Sins
I have an older brother and a younger brother who seemed to always
be getting into trouble when we were children. One of the threats l remember my mom making
to them was, I will wash your mouth out with soap if I hear that again. I don't
remember ever seeing anyone have their mouth washed out with soap; although if I remember
right, my older brother actually did suffer the consequences of his words when he was
young - either when I was too young to remember or before I was born. It must not have
been too effective because his mouth continued to get him in to trouble even as an adult.
During this Lenten season, we are reminded that washing our mouth
out with soap or showering daily, can not keep us from sinning with our mouth, our bodies
or our actions. We cannot cleanse ourselves.
We are washed clean of those sins only through the blood of Christ
shed at the cross. It is this cleansing power that we receive in the waters of our
baptism.
We can pray the words of the psalmist, Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you because Christ is our redeemer and
has washed our mouths and our hearts clean with his blood.
Prayer: Triune God, thank you for the gift of baptism
that washes us clean and reminds us that not only are our sins washed away, but that in
Christ we receive forgiveness. Amen.
| March 11, 1998 |
Exodus 20: 1-7 |
Priorities
I don't want to go "there." It's too early. I was up late.
The Indy race starts at 11:00 a.m. today. I'm sick, I can't go. There are lots of reasons
not to go to church.
On their own, these could be perfectly legitimate reasons to not go
somewhere. Getting home in time for the auto races is a big deal at my house! The
stumbling block is a person's priorities. If a race or a game is the focus for Sunday and
we fail to go to God's home, God's message gets overlooked. Left out.
I won't say I always enjoy church, or that I've gone every time I
could. I've slept through services. But church services are an important time to spend
with God. Since God is there to listen to you all the time, it's good to return the
favor at least once a week!
Prayer: Hello Lord. I know we don't always focus our
attention enough on you. Help us with that, and don't let us forget what church is about.
Amen.
| March 12, 1998 |
Exodus 20: 8-11 |
Give Thanks!
My grandmother has a saying that is always foremost in my mind,
"You can't out give God." No matter how much you give of your life, God has
already outdone you a million times over.
When I would get restless in church as a child, my mother would tell
me to count my blessings. Back then I finished in two minutes, but if you truly count your
blessings it would take much longer. Everything God has given is astounding, and deserving
of our thanks and praise.
Remembering the Sabbath is a way to show our gratitude toward God.
Taking the time to pray, praise, and give thanks seems to be the least we can do because,
no matter what, you can't out give God!
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help us to remember all
that we have received from you and let us pray constantly with thanks and praise. Amen.
| March 13, 1998 |
Exodus 20: 12-17 |
How to Plant a Special Garden
First, plant five rows of peas: Preparedness, Promptness,
Perseverance, Politeness, and Prayer.
Next to them, plant three rows of squash: Squash Gossip, Squash
Criticism, Squash Indifference.
Then five rows of lettuce: Let us be faithful, Let us be unselfish,
Let us be loyal, Let us be truthful, Let us love one another.
And no garden is complete without turnips: Turn up for church, Turn
up with a smile, Turn up with determination.
Prayer: Dear Lord, as spring begins, help me remember
that you planted the true seed of life, our Jesus Christ, who taught us the true way to
grow, through his examples. Amen.
| March 14, 1998 |
1 Corinthians 1: 22-25 |
We Are Never Alone
The High School years are a very difficult time in life. They are
filled with challenge, change, rebellion, and above all, loneliness. No matter how many
people surround you, since you are always changing, you always seem alone. One of the most
difficult things to remember is that it doesn't have to be that way.
Over the weekend after finals, our church Deaconess took four High
School youth to Kansas City for a leadership retreat. Since I was the only junior that
went, I was thrust into a group of new people, not knowing if I was going to make friends,
or not. I got lucky.
The friends I made that weekend changed my life. I was accepted
immediately, and through them, regained my confidence that it IS all right to be a High
School Christian. They reminded me that we all have a constant friend in Jesus Christ.
These lessons were probably some of the best gifts that I have ever been given. Hopefully,
these new friendships will make the rest of the High School years just a little bit
easier.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help us to remember that we
are never alone. We always have the fellowship of Your church and most importantly, the
presence of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who is with us always. Amen.
| March 15, 1998 |
John 2: 13-22 |
Help Us Know What Is Right
It is interesting that I have been chosen to write a devotional on
this particular scripture because I have always questioned it, and wondered if it could be
interpreted towards modern day life.
In these verses, Jesus travels to Jerusalem a few days before the
Jewish Passover. In the temple courts he found various kinds of vendors and people
changing money. When Jesus saw this he became very angry, overturning the different
tables, and shouted at the vendors, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my
Father's house into a market!"
On countless occasions I have heard this scripture in church and
thought back to the many times over the years that I have sold different types of things
at church or seen others doing this. I've brought my Boy Scout popcorn to church many
times and I've participated in quite a few bake sales over the years. Each time I sell
popcorn or sold cookies at a bake sale, I have questioned whether or not I should be doing
it. I've thought, "Oh well, the money I am making is going to a good cause
anyway." There is a good chance that the people inside the temple selling animals for
sacrifice were somehow church affiliated and the profits were going to the church. Even
though all or some of the profits of these sales were going to the church, Jesus still
became extremely angry and upset at the sight of it.
I think that this is just one of many examples of questionable
themes or stories in the Bible that can be interpreted in many different ways. Human
nature leads us to interpret lessons and things like this in the way that are most
convenient or beneficial to us. This is a perfect example of day to day situations where I
first have a feeling that I am doing something wrong, but make up multiple reasons why it
could probably be right.
Prayer: Dear God, please help and direct us to do the
things that you wish for us to do, not what is easiest and most beneficial to us at the
time. Amen.
| March 16, 1998 |
Psalm 27: 1-6 |
I Shall Not Fear
After reading this passage about three dozen times, I realized all
that the Lord does for us. When we fall down, He picks us up, dusts us off and sends us on
our way.
I feel that the Lord is always there for us, he never leaves us. I
think that that is what is being said here. In Psalms 27: 1-6, David is saying that with
the Lord is on my side, I can't, and won't loose. No matter what. Verse 3 reads:
"though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident."
Now tell me, why should David be confident? An army is against him.
There is a war being held, trying to kill him. Why doesn't he run, and save himself? Why,
because he realizes something we don't. Know matter what, the Lord will be with him.
That is a confidence that I wish I only had. I wish that for one
instance I could stand there, face my fears, not being afraid of what will happen because
I know the Lord will always be right beside me fighting with me.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Let us know that you will always
be there for us and give us the confidence to get through the day. Amen.
| March 17, 1998 |
Psalm 27: 7-14 |
A Prayer of Praise
While the United States is, arguably, the best country in the world,
life in it can be difficult at times. Economics, disease, hunger, and government are some
of the problems that plague our country. These problems were also common among the people
that Jesus walked and talked with. At times many of us feel overwhelmed with our own
personal problems and with those of the world. It's easy for us to become "stressed
out," or feel all alone. In David's Psalm, he told us not to feel alone because God
is with us. He told us to have faith, not to despair, and to trust the Lord.
Knowing that God is always with us and that we can always trust in
him is one of the most reassuring things to know. God is able to understand us, when no
one else can. He is the one that remains constant and stable in our lives. When we are
stressed out God wants us to turn to him and trust in him.
Prayer: Dear Lord thank you for remaining steadily in
our lives and walking through the tough times with us. Teach us to have faith in you and
not to despair. Amen.
| March 18, 1998 |
Numbers 21: 4-9 |
"Whenever those who were bitten looked at the
bronze snake, they recovered." Numbers 21:9b
The people of Israel had rebelled . . . against Moses and against
Jaweh! And now they were paying the consequences. Poisonous snakes had come into the camp.
Many people had died. They were worried. Sooner or later we could all die from the
snakebites. What to do?
Sorry, Moses! We shouldn't have been so quick to criticize. We're
sorry, Moses. But just get us out of this frightful situation. Ask Jaweh to help us. Tell
him we're sorry!
So Moses consulted with Jaweh. A bronze snake was mounted on a pole.
And here Is the "hard to believe" part of the story . . . Anyone who was bitten
by a snake would be immune to the venom, by simply looking at the bronze snake.
Imagine!!
We can imagine skeptics in that crowd responding with ridicule.
"Moses is really trying to pull a fast one on us this time," they might have
said. "Just looking!?!? Ridiculous!!! We've got to do something, The very
least thing would require that we shinny up the pole and touch the bronze
snake." . . . And when the snake bit them, in their stubbornness, they didn't
"look" and the venom killed them.
Believers, on the other hand, might have said, "Sounds too good
to be true. But I'll give it a try." They "looked" and lived.
A parallel in our experience might be something like this. The snake
venom is the influence of Satan in our lives . . . . Ultimately, if nothing is done, it
will destroy us . . . . Ruin our earthly life, and remove us from God's presence . . .
forever. What to do?
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be
saved." That's the gospel, the good news. We can respond like the skeptics in Moses'
group. Or we can believe . . . call on the name of the Lord . . . and be saved.
Theologically that's called "Justification by grace, through faith."
Prayer: Eternal God, we thank you for your gift of
salvation, and pray for grace to live as your forgiven children. Amen.
| March 19, 1998 |
Ephesians 2: 4-9 |
Amazing Grace
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not
of yourself. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians
2:8-9
This passage from Ephesians is very familiar in church circles,
maybe especially so in Lutheran church circles, since the theology of it was at the heart
of Martin Luther's disagreement with the practices of 16th century Roman Catholicism.
Christians of the time were told that their status in the afterworld
was determined by their goodness on earth. Like most of us, most of them didn't quite
qualify for sainthood. Maybe they didn't rob a bank or kill their neighbor, but they had
these nasty little tendencies to sell a pig for more than it was worth, or gossip by the
fire, or exaggerate their golf score. With these sins on their score card, they could not
go to Heaven.
Only the really pure could go to Heaven. So the saved included only
priests and a few others, identified after the fact as saints. Run-of-the-mill people,
such as you and me, went to Limbo where we would float for a few decades or centuries
until we got out on parole.
Surviving loved ones of the deceased couldn't do much about the
presence of virtue or lack of sin in the Limboed one's life, but they were encouraged to
give all they had -- literally -- to redeeming him or her through intercessory prayer. It
was thought that if you cared enough about that beloved soul floating in Limbo, you would
sacrifice much, to ensure their eternity in Heaven. You could buy these intercessory
prayers for a fee. They were called indulgences, and surely if you bought enough, your
grandmother would be propelled out of Limbo into the outskirts of heaven. Intercessory
prayers, by the way, were acceptable only if offered by priests and other saints.
Martin Luther, himself a priest, was troubled by this teaching
(among others). He said, "No! The Bible teaches us that we are saved by grace,
through faith." It is not what we do that saves us. It is not prayers offered on our
behalf when we are gone. It is the love of God, through Jesus Christ, that redeems us.
And, said Dr. Luther, it's perfectly fine for us sinners to talk to God one-on-one while
we're still alive, without benefit of saints and clergy.
Prayer: Let us pray today for ourselves, for those we
love, our church, our community, and our nation. We have a direct line to God. Amen.
| March 20, 1998 |
Ephesians 2: 10 |
Imperfect People
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good
works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
I was just told the story of a girl who was brought up to believe
that any wrong she did was excusable, because she was a Christian. Her father, a sterling
example, collected a large insurance settlement from his former employer for a disability
that did not exist. She would admittedly do terrible, immoral things and excuse herself
because she was a "Christian." The family spent many hours watching PTL on TV.
It occurred to me that this family based their behavior on their interpretation of the
preceding verses of this chapter that deals with God's grace. In verse 8 we are told
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it
is the gift of God."
We are in world of choices. As imperfect people, we choose pieces of
God's word to listen to and ignore the rest. We think of the Bible as a buffet that we can
pick and choose the parts that appeal the most to us.
While we will never be close to perfection, we should always try to
do good works and be thankful for God's grace. We should not use God's grace as an excuse
to be sinful. As we are reminded in a quote from Thomas Carlyle: "Conviction is
worthless unless it is converted into conduct"
Prayer: Heavenly Father. Help me today to do the
things you would choose for me to do, not the things I would choose for myself. Amen.
| March 21, 1998 |
John 3: 14-15 |
Your Words Guide Us!
While relishing the beauty and grandeur of the language in my
battered King James Version of the Bible, I felt the need for a translation which spoke
more closely to my daily life so I asked for a "new" Bible for Christmas. My
only stipulation was that the "swaddling clothes" be retained. My second son,
Joshua, looked long and hard, finally purchasing The Life Application Study Bible.
Unfortunately the "swaddling clothes" have been replaced by "bands of
cloth," but I am finding it to be very user friendly.
It turns out that today's scripture, John 3:14-15, is closely
paralleled in Numbers 21:7-9. In Numbers, Moses, busy leading his grumbling people through
the wilderness, pauses to lift up a bronze snake on a pole so that the people, bitten by
snakes sent by God, could gaze upon it and be saved from death by believing that God would
heal them.
In John, we are reminded that our salvation occurs when we look up
to Jesus, on the cross, believing that he will save us from eternal death. It is our faith
which "saves" us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to be open to your
teachings while participating fully in your kingdom. Amen.
| March 22, 1998 |
John 3: 16-21 |
Let My Light So Shine
When I first saw I was to write about John 3: 16, I thought,
"everyone knows that verse, even small children." As I read on about light and
darkness, other thoughts came to mind. Did you ever try to sort similar colors of
cross-stitch thread by a small lamp? Did you ever try to pick out navy socks in the light
of early morning - when they were mixed in with your black socks? Daylight allows us to
see colors naturally and more clearly than artificial lights. Jesus is the light of the
world. Yet many people do not automatically know about John 3:15, nor do they see Jesus'
presence in the world. Many "artificial lights" lead people astray and away from
the truth. Other people live in complete darkness because they have never learned about
Jesus. Only Christians see the Light and become "little lights" in the world.
John 3:16 is a wonderful Bible verse - probably my favorite. It
certainly makes us feel wonderful to know that God loved us so much that he gave his Son
to die for us. We can't imagine such love. Today, let's think about all the people who
don't know Jesus. Let's offer ourselves to help spread the Gospel so they will know the
joy and happiness we have because of our salvation.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your son
Jesus. We know we can never thank you enough for him and all our blessings, but please
accept our attempts. Help us each to be a light in the world. Each of us is small, but
together we can make a difference - with your help. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
| March 23, 1998 |
Psalm 51: 1-9 |
Cleanse Us
This passage deals with the subject of sin and the cleansing of
ourselves after our acceptance of our sins. Upon the acceptance and admitting of a sin,
all beings have God to turn to, to ask for the forgiveness of our sins. All beings are
sinners from the time we are conceived till the day of our death. During those few or many
years, we have the reassurance of the cleansing of our hearts and bodies if our sins are
taken to God and when in our hearts we completely acknowledge our sin and truthfully want
God's forgiveness, God will be there to forgive our sins.
Upon the forgiveness of our sins, we shall be clean again, we shall
be "whiter than snow." After our punishment, we shall have joy back into our
lives. God is not a judging God, he does not keep looking at a past sin, but forgives and
lets us go on with our lives, to go on with a clean heart.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I know that I am a
sinner, please forgive me of all that I have sinned against. I know that you are there to
forgive me of my sins, to allow me to cleanse my heart and to continue through my life
with a clean heart. Thank you Lord for being there for each of us to bring our burdens to
you. I thank you for not being a judging God, for allowing us to look into the future and
not carry our past burdens with us. Amen.
| March 24, 1998 |
Psalm 51: 10-15 |
God's promise, "I will never leave you, or
forsake you"
Throughout my joyous and inspiring life with Jesus Christ I have
been privileged and blessed to be a witness to the countless miracles he has performed in
answer to my prayers for others.
He has healed people, restored marriages, found employment and hope
for many, and rescued friends from depression, destructive habits and addictions. He
literally turned their lives around and brought them rebirth and salvation.
While I was watching the perfection of his supernatural powers, I
was completely awed by the events that were so flawlessly brought to completion. Then
there were times I felt complete silence from God.
It seemed no matter how hard I prayed, I did not get an answer.
There are times when our Heavenly Father seems like an unkind
friend. He is not. We must be patient and keep having faith in him and in due time
everything will be clear.
Have complete faith that whatever God is doing it will be for good.
Keep confident that God is present and involved in our lives, even
when it seems he isn't.
Our foundation is based on the authority of Gods' written word.
God's timing is perfect, even when he appears catastrophically late!
Prayer: We thank you Lord Jesus that your Holy Spirit
has opened our eyes and our hearts to the truth and beauty that surrounds us and dwells
within us. Even in times of darkness we know you are there to clear our confusion and to
keep us in the light always. Amen.
| March 25, 1998 |
Jeremiah 31: 31-33 |
You Are Always Here for Us
Ten years ago, a mother barn cat was destroyed by a wild animal
while seeking food, leaving four helpless two-week old kittens. A caring owner, appealing
to the Hippocratic Oath, implored her equine veterinarian to take two of these tiny,
hairless, blind creatures home.
Our three daughters immediately took charge, setting up a rotation
of two hour feedings interspersed with gentle strokes and a generous supply of warm
blankets. The kittens prospered with all the love and attention bestowed upon them, but
despite the caregivers earnest efforts the kittens never learned to groom themselves. Due
to the untimely death of their mother, the kittens were not imprinted with the appropriate
behavioral responses.
As children of God we are assured in Jeremiah 31: 31-33 that we are
imprinted with His laws in our hearts and in our minds. Too often in our busy lives we
overlook that which is within us. We struggle to fulfill our lives with our earnest
efforts to make the right decisions. Yet frequently we feel unsettled and are not at
peace.
When we truly turn our lives over to God, He uses the Holy Spirit to
build within us the desire to obey Him. Every facet of our lives is important to Him and
He will direct us if we only allow Him.
Prayer: Help me to be still, wait patiently and
listen to You, O Lord. Grant me to greet the coming day in peace and help me in all things
to rely upon Thy holy will. Amen.
| March 26, 1998 |
Jeremiah 31: 34 |
A New Covenant
When I taught a career explorations course at WSU, students would
take the course for a variety of reasons. Some because an advisor suggested it might be
helpful. Some because they were anxious to choose a major. Some because they expected it
to be easy credit. Accordingly, some students passed the course by completing only the
minimum number of assignments with as little work or thought put into them as possible.
Others, however, because they were seeking answers, put a great deal of effort and
soul-searching into the exercises. They are the ones who really learned about themselves
and the world of work.
In the Bible reading for today, Jeremiah refers to a new covenant, a
new agreement between the Lord and his people. Under the old covenant, the focus was on
outward obedience to external laws, much like students doing just enough to get by, with
little real thought given to how assignments might be helpful to them. Under the old
covenant, if people did exactly as the law told them, they were considered righteous. They
often obeyed because they had to, for fear of punishment, rather than from any
understanding of why it was good for them to do so.
Under the new covenant, the law would no longer come down
externally, taught by those in high religious positions. Instead, the Lord promised to put
the law directly in the minds and on the hearts of everyone! Now we can understand - in a
personal way - his love, his forgiveness, and what he wants from us each of us. What a
marvelous opportunity for an intimate, personal relationship with God!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the opportunity to know
you personally. Help us to enter into this agreement with open minds and hearts, ready to
learn what you want us to do. Amen.
| March 27, 1998 |
Hebrews 5: 7-9 |
Obedience
"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers
and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he
was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience
from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation
for all who obey him…." Hebrews 5: 7-9
Here Hebrews is trying to teach the concept of Jesus being our high
priest, who, having been human himself, knows us and can effectively plead our case before
Gods throne. As human, Jesus was subject to all the same rules and requirements as we are.
He did not choose his path, rather God gave it to him, and he accepted it. Though as God,
he could have saved himself, he used his father's power to heal and revive. Through his
life on earth he set the example for all and through his being obedient unto death, he
overcame death, was purified and became our salvation. He accepted his death and thus was
saved from death.
Our task then is in obedience to follow him in accepting what
happens, pray and petition continually about it and seek Christ for our salvation for 'No
one comes to the Father except through me.' (John 14:6)
How do we do this? Go to church on Sunday and pay the tithe? Do
tasks in the congregation? Abstain from drinking and swearing?
Those are all good deeds and will be recognized by our peers,
however I believe we need to do much more. Living as a Christian is an arduous task
involving a continuous mindset of "what would he do here?" from when we awake
till we fall asleep, 7 days a week. Can we do that? Probably never, but we can attempt to
and pray about it and always remember that he already tried it!
Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven! We, who are sinners
and easily get lead astray, pray for your presence and guidance. Give us the gift of faith
and obedience to you, so that he who came for us may indeed have done your will, to
deliver us for your eternal service. Amen.
| March 28, 1998 |
John 12: 20-26 |
We Must Lose Our Life to Christ to Gain Eternal Life
In today's scripture, Jesus told those gathered that the time had
come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Little did those listening realize that this
meant that Jesus would soon die. Jesus had to die to pay the penalty for our sin and to
demonstrate his power over death. His resurrection proves he has eternal life. He asks us
to give our earthly life to following him. We must serve him and in doing so we will be
honored by the Father and gain eternal life.
What does it mean to give our life to Jesus? He told us how to do
this in many places in the Bible. We are to go forth, teach others all we have learned and
see that all are baptized in his name. We also are to see that those in need receive care.
In Christ's words, as we care for the needy, we care for him.
How can I go forth, teach and bring others to Christ? I have not
been trained to do so. If we really want to know about God and his unfolding plan for us,
we need but look to the Bible. It will equip us with the knowledge needed. The wisdom to
apply the knowledge can be gained by asking God to guide us as his instrument to both help
others and bring them to Christ. And we are not alone. Christ tells us that he is with us
always. All we need to do is reach out to him.
Sometimes it is hard to focus on giving our life to Christ. Many in
the world either do not strive to be with Christ or if they do, it is not openly shared.
The worldly standard measures success by money, prestige and power. Support for each of us
to follow Christ is not felt as often as the pressure to succeed to the world's standards.
But we must be ever mindful of the future time when we will be measured. It will be the
last judgment of Christ. How good it will be to have in the "Book of Record"
that we gave our life to Christ and thereby be judged to receive eternal life with him.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Heavenly Father, please help us be
ever mindful that following you means serving others. Your many examples of helping those
in need and bringing others to you are given in the Bible. We but need to study to gain
the knowledge needed and then pray for the wisdom to carry our your wishes. Help us to be
open to receiving your ever offered grace and then respond by giving our earthly life
toward striving to follow your example that ultimately leads to eternal life with you.
Amen.
| March 29, 1998 |
John 12: 27-33 |
The Greatest Hour in All Of History
"I, when I am lifted up, will draw everyone to Myself." John
12:32
The text from John 12 takes place during that first Holy Week twenty
centuries ago. Jesus provides us with a brief but panoramic view of the greatest hour in
all of human history. Look with me at the scenery.
First we encounter the awesome tragedy of human sinfulness.
"Now is My heart troubled" says Jesus. Being truly human Jesus gives us a brief
glimpse of the agony He was going through because of the burden of our sinfulness. At this
moment He knew exactly what was in store for Him - the Cross. Truly human, He begs the
question: "Shall I say, 'Father, do not let this hour come upon Me?'" He quickly
responds with the only possible answer: "But this is why I came . . . ." A day
or two later we see Him agonize in the Garden of Gethsemane, and then on that first Good
Friday, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" This was the ultimate
agony.
But in our text Jesus moves quickly away from His agony to give us a
glimpse of divine glory. "I, when I am lifted up . . . ." This expression points
in two directions, first to being lifted up on the Cross, and then to the Ascension and
being lifted to the seat of honor at his Father's right hand. "When I am lifted
up" - from this vantage point look back and see that the event of the Cross has
signaled the defeat and destruction of an unrepentant world and its ruler, Satan. Then
look forward and hear the most precious message to all who are true saints: "I, when
I am lifted up, will draw everyone to Myself." In this expression is housed our
forgiveness, new life, and salvation. All this is the glory of God. And to think, I may be
a part of all this, God's victory scene. That is what my baptism is all about. In that
event all that Christ endured and won becomes mine. In His love and righteousness my Lord
has made it possible for me, the sinner, to share in the victory of history's greatest
hour.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for our
Lord's Passion. Amen.
| March 30, 1998 |
Psalm 31: 1-5 |
Commit Your Life to God
"You are indeed my rock and my fortress . . . Take me out of
the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge . . . Into your hand I commit my
spirit." Psalm 31:3-5
When was the last time any of us had as much faith and trust in
someone as David had in God. For many of us, we would have to go back to a time before the
responsibilities and stresses of everyday life weighed us down. A time when we could put
our worries and concerns on the shoulders of our parents and trust that they would some
how make everything better. Wouldn't it be nice if . . . .
Thoughts like these are short lived, because all too soon we are
jolted back into the "real" world. Adults are not as trusting as children. All a
child needs in order to feel secure is a loving look and a gentle touch from someone who
cares. As we grow older and lose this trust, we strive to intellectualize everything, so
we can "get a handle on it." Jesus said to his disciples "Let the children
come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God
belongs." We should not have to understand all the mysteries of the universe, it
should be enough to know that God loves us and provides forgiveness for our sins.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to love and trust
you, as a child loves and trusts his parents. Help us to see through the day to day
obstacles that block our view of you and to commit our spirit into your hands. Amen.
| March 31, 1998 |
Psalm 31: 9-15 |
In God's Hands
On release from jail, we met to discuss his situation. Paul wanted
to include a mutual friend. Months ago, Paul left Kansas to "change his luck."
He did well enough in Arkansas to get his boss to co-sign a loan for a car. Soon they
"had words," Paul returned to Kansas to start fresh again. Arkansas has a
seldom-enforced law that makes it a felony to remove mortgaged property to another state.
The Bank didn't push the issue but his old boss, his co-signer, did. And he had enough
pull to get charges filed. Paul could avoid extradition by paying off the loan, a few
thousand dollars. Due to being arrested, he lost his job. His ex-wife, kids, or mother
wouldn't consider loaning him any money. The car had been in a "fender bender";
it couldn't be sold or refinanced. Paul had no doubt about the justice that waited for him
in Arkansas. While we talked, Paul paced, his hands shook violently, he smoked furiously,
and cried. I fully expected this sixty-something year old man to have a stroke or heart
attack on the spot. After a very long pause during which I was trying to think of
something hopeful, our mutual friend said, "I guess it's in God's hands now." On
hearing that, the stress and tension visibly evaporated from Paul. He immediately looked
like a guy who didn't have a care in the world.
Prayer: Dear God: Grant us the faith to trust in you,
no matter how dark the day, no matter how undeserving we are of your grace. Amen.
| April 1, 1998 |
Philippians 2: 5-11 |
Comforting Letters
When I was in college, I could count on receiving a letter from my
Grandmother every Friday. I anticipated those letters all week. I knew that no matter
what, come Friday, I could count on Grandma's letter being in the mailbox. Sometimes those
letters came at the end of a great week, when everything had gone well, and the letter was
merely reinforcement of all the good things in life. Sometimes, however, those letters
arrived at the end of a very bad week. At those times, Grandma's letters were a beacon of
hope: A reminder that there were people that loved me and kept me close to their hearts.
The letters contained news from home, who was sick, who had come to Sunday dinner, what
projects Grandma had undertaken that week. They also contained words of encouragement, and
always Grandma's love. I have kept those letters, and when I am gone, I hope someone will
care enough to continue holding on to them.
If I treasure those letters from my Grandmother, I can only imagine
how much the Philippians must have treasured their correspondence with St. Paul. I am
quite sure the Philippians had many bad days in their faith journey; days when the road of
Christianity was particularly hard to walk. In chapter three, St. Paul warns the
Philippians to "look out for the dogs and the evil-workers." How comforting it
must have been to receive word that Paul was alive, and sending one of his fellow workers,
Epaphroditus, to be among them. Paul's letter is more than a line to let the Philippians
know he is alive. St. Paul writes to the Philippians to provide guidance, hope and to
express his love.
In chapter two, St. Paul offers advice to the community. He
encourages them to remember Christ's humility and sacrifice for the Christian people, and
to model that example within their own community. The early church found strength in each
other, and also found a refuge in the community. But Paul reminds the Philippians that
Christ's humility is central to the Christian life.
Certainly volumes have been written on humility and servanthood. As
Christians we know and accept that we should live as servants to others. The question is,
do we follow Christ's example in our serving? Is our serving selfless? Is our service
performed out of desire and obedience, or is it, at least sometimes, performed out of our
own boasting?
I treasure my Grandmother's letters. They have meaning to me, but I
doubt if anyone else could appreciate them. I wonder if St. Paul had any idea how enduring
his words would be to the Philippians? Surely the Philippians treasure their link with
Paul, but could they have known that his advice and admonitions would stand as a timeless
reminder of the core Christian belief? I am grateful someone had the foresight to preserve
Paul's advice on living in community, serving and loving God and following Christ's
example.
Prayer: Lord, make us mindful that the actions of
today will shape the future of our community. Help us be conscious of Christ's example,
and give us the courage to follow that example in our lives and communities. Thank you for
the Bible, and for your enduring love.
| April 2, 1998 |
Mark 14: 1-31 |
E-mail from Hungary
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put
eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from
beginning to end. I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice and to do good in
their lives." Ecclesiastes 3:11-12
Time and time again I am struck by the simplicity of beauty, and
indeed, in the mere discovery of what "beauty" actually means. Living in a
foreign culture where attempting to communicate and completing even the smallest of tasks
is difficult, I have learned to appreciate God and his steady constant voice. A voice that
can often be drowned out by the "normality" and rush of our lives. Not too long
ago, I discovered raisins in a store close to my apartment-the crazy American I am almost
had a breakdown from pure joy! When was the last time I thanked God for raisins??
Everyday I am here presents a challenge. Whether the challenge
presents itself in simple daily living or in teaching a roomful of kids, I am continually
reminded of my smallness and God's glory. This lesson has been hard. Where assurance once
came in what I could do, or in the form of a comfortable daily routine, in what I
considered "normal" -- having access to a phone, to a worship service in
English, to a Coastal Mart big drink, to my family and my friends -- now assurance comes
from the one true source, God. It is hard to let go of the control we enjoy when life is
easy. However, when you strip away all of the trappings of life . . . God truly reveals
himself in his finest beauty, beauty that we often see but take for granted.
* Amy Ryding is a Lutheran World Mission Volunteer
serving one year in Hungary.
Prayer: God, grant us each patience. None of us will
ever see the completeness of your gifts from beginning to end. Help us to recognize each
of the gifts you have given us, and the willingness to pass them on. Amen.
| April 3, 1998 |
Luke 1: 26-38 |
Angel of the Lord
The Annunciation is one of the many scenes from the Bible we all
know and love. Is it so familiar we fail to give it much thought? Is it merely a necessity
to get the birth of Christ?
My daughter Mary had always been an unremarkable yet good girl. Mary
had many friends, did well in school, and helped her father and I around the house. We
hadn't yet discussed the finer points of relationships with men since Mary was still too
young to have to worry about such things.
One evening after dinner Mary came to her father and I and said that
she had something important to discuss with us. Mary claimed that when she was alone in
her room earlier that day, an "Angel of The Lord" came to her and told her she
was pregnant and would give birth to a son. As if that wasn't hard enough to believe, she
went on to tell us that the child she would give birth to was to be the "son of the
Most High" and that she was to name him Jesus.
After the initial tears and shock had passed, my husband and I
sought the help of our pastor and a school counselor. We decided that the best course of
action was to send Mary to a psychiatric care facility. We would then try to figure out
who had impregnated her, and what medical or family care options were available. What and
how to tell Joseph would have to be dealt with later.
When we look at the annunciation in a contemporary context, we begin
to realize that there are two miracles in this story; the miracle of immaculate
conception, and the miracle that Mary, her family, and her fiancé Joseph had the faith to
accept the acts of God for the mysteries they were.
How many of us are able to accept the mysteries of God with such
faith? What would our world be like if we did? Saint Augustine wrote "Faith is to
believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe."
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to be people of faith who
accept the mystery and majesty of your will for us. Amen.
| April 4, 1998 |
Mark 14: 32-72, 15: 1-47 |
The Flesh Is Weak
"And he said to them - Keep watch and pray that you will not
fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."
-Mark 14:38
How often do we resolve to do so many wonderful acts for our fellow
mankind but do just that, resolve, and do not put into action all those things that would
ease someone's pain and suffering? How often do we make a snide remark that would hurt the
feelings of an individual and cause them to withdraw and possibly feel inferior? How often
do we pass on a bit of juicy gossip? How often do we fail to praise a shy child when he
has done something commendable? This could give him the feeling of self esteem that is
needed to make him more comfortable around his peers and let him know that he is a child
of God. How often do we just take the easy way out and not volunteer to do a task that
would make our church a better place for all whom enter it and participate in its
activities? How often do we say "I'm going to visit the elderly and the sick,"
but find ourselves going to the mall shopping or just sitting around doing nothing
productive?
All the above are examples where the spirit is willing but the flesh
is weak.
In this Lenten season, let us ponder this verse.
'Twas I that shed the sacred blood
I nailed Him to the tree
I crucified the Christ of God
I joined the mockery! Anonymous
Prayer: Lord, remind me that Your death was a
sacrifice for my sins. Thank you.
| April 5, 1998 |
Mark 11: 1-10 |
The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
And those who went before, and those who followed after, were crying
out,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord"
"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"
- Mark 11: 9-10.
What a wonderful day! Jesus was surrounded by believers and
supporters. They spread their garments in the road for Him; they spread leafy branches,
which they had brought in from the fields. They cheered Him. He was the Messiah. He must
have been on top of the world. Wouldn't it be great to have been there!
How is it, then, that a short time later all those supporters
disappeared? Some went into hiding. Many turned against Him. Some ridiculed Him. They
wanted Him crucified! It all seems so unbelievable to us.
This happened to fulfill all the words of the Scripture. Mark 14:49.
I sometimes ask myself what would I have done in this situation?
What would you have done? Surely we would not have "turned" our backs on our
Messiah. Or would we? Are we so different from our biblical ancestors? Do we sometimes
turn our backs on "others;" the poor, the isolated, those who are different from
us, those who have hurt us, those who don't go to church? Christ is in them, too. He died
for them, too. Let us show them our love as Christ loved us, even after we turned on Him.
Prayer: Dear God, Help us to see Your Son in everyone
we meet. Help us to not turn our backs on those in need of our love and support, and to
follow Your path. We ask this in the Name of Jesus the Savior who died for us, so that we
might have eternal life with You. Amen.
| April 6, 1998 |
Isaiah 42: 1-9 |
Go, and Serve the Lord!
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I
delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations."
-Isaiah 42:1
In a society that has increasingly become self-serving, it is
easy to forget that we are servants; servants of the Lord. We should follow in
Jesus example as God's servants to the world.
Fortunately for us, we are not required to perform great miracles. A
simple gesture of love will do, like a helping hand, or a smile. In our service, we can
become a light onto the world.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to be humble servants, so
that we may truly offer of ourselves, our time and our possessions, signs of your gracious
love. Amen.
| April 7, 1998 |
Isaiah 49: 1-6 |
Obey God
I have recently been trying to read "The Book of God, The Bible
As a Novel" by Walt Wangerin, Jr., and I find myself struggling to get through the 12
jillion battles Israel had with all its neighbors. I become impatient with these people as
they constantly disobey God. Then they pray for God to save them and expect him to rescue
them again and again. How many times does this have to occur for them to realize God is
always there?
But, isn't this the same scenario of today? Have we learned yet that
God is always there for us? How many times have we made deals with God or prayed only when
we needed something from him?
Isaiah 49: 1-6 speaks of God's decision that Mary would have a baby
whose name God said would be Jesus. It tells us how Jesus would speak the truth, God's
truth, not what the priests wanted him to say and for this truth, he would face a
multitude of trials and tribulations. But Jesus knew God was there for him, that he would
be vindicated and rewarded for his suffering - just as he rewarded us with his death and
our release form the captivity of sin.
We may not have wars with our neighbors, but we do struggle every
day. When we stop and reflect on the gift God gave us - the life of his only son - maybe
we will be better at understanding that God is always there for us, too.
Prayer: God, thank you for always being there for us
and for our needs, even when we doubt. Amen.
| April 8, 1998 |
Matthew 26: 14-25 |
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
Our sinful, selfish ways
Can rob us of our love
And make us feel so very far
From our Father up above.
He foresees the dangers when
From Him we go astray
Into a world that's filled with sin,
We tend to lose our way.
The Lord waits patiently,
And reaches out His loving hand
To shine His light and guide our path,
Showing love without demand.
Who can doubt His tender mercy?
His Grace will spare your life.
If you will only let Him
He'll bear your burdens and your strife.
So humble yourself; confess, repent…
Ask His forgiveness as you pray,
His Spirit will supply your needs
And guide you on your way.
Accept His gift-made new in Christ,
On Him you shall depend.
You'll find reward beyond this life
When your days on this earth end.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help us remember You are
always there for us. You are sufficient enough to meet all our needs if only we will ask
Your help. Empower us with Your Spirit each day so Your love will work through us. Thank
You for dying for us that we may have eternal life. In Jesus name, Amen.
| April 9, 1998 |
Mark 14: 12-26 |
The Last Supper
Imagine what it would've been like to actually participate in
"The Last Supper" with our Lord Jesus. What a mixture of emotions the disciples
probably felt at this historic event. What an exciting time for them as they
prepared the Passover feast for Jesus. They had to feel so fortunate to be relaxing
at a meal with Jesus and praising God with him, singing hymns, and celebrating. I can only
imagine how saddened and frightened they must have been at the shocking news
that one of them would be betraying the Lord very soon. I'm sure there would have been a
lot of mystery and wonder surrounding Jesus' prediction of his own death.
Today, as we celebrate our own communion in the Maundy Thursday
observance, we feel many different emotions, also. How fortunate we feel that Jesus
came to earth, ministered to us, suffered and died to take away our sins and rose from the
dead to promise us eternal life. What excitement we have knowing Jesus is our Lord
and Savior and that we have this promise for eternal life by knowing him and believing in
him and the events of this Eastertime. How sad we feel every time we think of how
Jesus suffered, hurt and ached as he hung on the cross for us. How frightening it
is to think of what life holds without the hope of Jesus Christ in our hearts. How mysterious
it is to think of God's awesome power over all. Our faith carries us through on this
mystery. We don't need to know how he does what he does, we just know he does it.
Eastertime is such a joyful time in the life of a Christian. The
hope that we have through Christ's resurrection is insurmountable and we need to thank God
not only at Eastertime for it, but every day of our lives for it.
Prayer: Dear God the Father Almighty, thank you for
sending Jesus to our earth and allowing him to live among us. Thank you for the sacrament
of communion that Jesus began during that Last Supper. Thank you for the hope that it
holds for us each time we participate in it - it's reminder of Christ's presence in our
lives and the spiritual strength he provides. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
| April 10, 1998 |
Lamentations 3: 1-9, 19-33 |
Great Is Your Faithfulness
The Lord pleads with us to live in His word. He promises to provide
for our every need throughout the Bible. There are numerous examples where someone
attempts to tackle a problem on their own, only to discover that returning to what God
desires provides the answers they were searching for.
BUT! Do we learn from these stories?!! Have we turned over our lives
to God completely, trusting in Him only? I suggest we have not.
When a decision must be made I look for all logical options. I talk
to those I trust and look to them for council. Only if I fail to get the answers I am
looking for, or as a last resort, do I kneel down and ask God what I am to do. And can I
hear what the Lord intends with such a busy schedule? In all the "activities,"
He may be screaming answers to me, or even posting them on billboards, but I don't have
'time' to hear.
We should set aside enough time each morning to celebrate God's
word, meditate, and be ready to hear what it is that God desires of us each day.
James 1:5-6 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask
God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But
when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…"
Prayer: Lord, let us not to be anxious about
anything, but to bring our petitions to You in prayer. Open our hearts to live faithfully
in Your word. In Jesus' name, Amen.
| April 11, 1998 |
Lamentations 3: 37-58 |
Deliver Us!
Mary, the mother of Jesus stood at the foot of the cross yesterday
and silently wept for her son. Today, the day following his crucifixion, she ponders his
shameful death. What had gone wrong? What happened to the beloved infant? Gabriel's words
to her years earlier, "You have found favor with God," numbed her.
We don't know Mary's song of lamentation, but we can imagine that it
was as painfully eloquent as the Magnificat has been eloquently joyful. Mary's grief was
real. Her heart was filled to bursting as she mourned the death of her son. She could not
possibly anticipate the following day -- Easter. What a difference a few hours would make!
It is not uncommon to experience periods of sadness. It is all right
to grieve. God listens intently to our lamentations -- our songs of sorrow and
hopelessness. As with Mary, he will deliver us from our times of trial. The day will dawn
when our burdens will be lifted and we will have peace on our hearts.
Prayer: Holy and gracious Father, Listen to us
please. Hear our lamentations. Understand our sufferings. Comfort us in our
disappointments and grief. Help us remember the words of the Psalmist, "When the
righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and rescues them from all their troubles."
Give us patience and peace as we await your rescue. Amen.
| April 12, 1998 |
John 20: 19-23 |
The Resurrection of Our Lord
It is Easter evening when Jesus speaks these Easter words to the
disciples. They are cowering behind locked doors, fearful because of the mighty
happenings.
Earlier that day Jesus, risen from the dead, had appeared to Mary
next to the tomb (20:11). As he spoke her name, she recognized her Lord.
Now it is evening. The men had been slow to believe what their ears
had been hearing. Now they hear "Peace be with you." Jesus speaks to the very
disciples who had fallen asleep in the garden, denied any knowledge of him in the heat of
conflict, and fled from the cross. Only a heart of mercy could speak peace to sleepers,
betrayers, and cowards.
And then he sends them! Jesus comes from God the Father in heaven
(3:16; 17:3) as life and light for the world. Now, having triumphantly finished his work
(19:30), the risen Lord turns to the disciples and sends them to continue the task.
"So I send you," he says.
Throughout the Lenten season we have followed the way of the Lord.
It is a journey that leads ultimately to the cross. There "the Sent One" suffers
into death all that is rightfully due us -- our brokenness, wrongdoing, even divine
judgement unto death. He dies it all away. Then in his resurrection Jesus brings forth for
us forgiveness, restoration to God, and peace.
"As the Father has sent me, so I send you." With his
Spirit breathed into our souls, we have a mission to the world. The mission is to bring
the Word of God's forgiveness to a broken and conflicted world.
Prayer: Dear God, empower me and the people of this
congregation with your Holy Spirit, that we may make Christ known in our church,
neighborhood and world. Strengthen us with your word of peace and send us again and again.
In the name of the Risen Jesus. Amen.
Thanks for Sharing in our Devotions
As we complete this Lenten season, we would like to share this
special contribution as a way to continue our walk with God, throughout the upcoming year.
God bless each of you who committed time during this past few weeks to meditate and share
your search for faith through his words.
The best advice my mother ever gave me -- don't forget to say your
Prayers. You will not stumble while on your knees. Sandra Goodwin's poem, "Traveling
On My Knees" reminds us that prayer is the generator for God's power at work in our
world.
Last night I took a journey to a land across the seas;
I did not go by boat or plane, I traveled on my knees.
I saw so many people there in deepest depths of sin.
But Jesus told me I should go, that there were souls to win.
But I said, "Jesus, I cannot go and work with such as these."
He answered quickly, "Yes, you can by traveling on your knees."
He said, "You pray; I'll meet the need, you call and I will
Hear; be concerned about lost souls, of those both far and near."
And so I tried it, knelt in prayer, gave up some hours of ease;
I felt the Lord right by my side while traveling on my knees.
As I prayed on I saw souls saved and twisted bodies healed, and
Saw God's workers' strength renewed while laboring on the fields.
I said, "Yes, Lord, I have a job, my desire Thy will to please;
I can go and heed Thy call by traveling on my knees."
Poem from Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations, Paul Lee Tan, ed.
(Rockville, MD: Assurance Publishers, 1979), #4532
