Daily Devotionals for Lent
February 17, 1999 – April 4,
1999
Eighth Issue
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 17, 1999
Palm Sunday March 28, 1999
Holy Week March 28-April 4, 1999
Easter Sunday April 4, 1999
Worship services held every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and
11:00 a.m.
Lenten services held every Wednesday at noon and 7:30 p.m.
These devotionals may be found on the Internet at
http://www2.southwind.net/~refluth/lent/1999
|
Editors: Lynda Carrier-Metz, Dallas Cronk and Dr.
Mark Yeskie
Cover photo by Matt Metz, seventh grade
Back photo by Sarah Schmidt, fifth grade |
| It is the winter of our year. Skies are gray; trees are
bare and shivering in the prairie winds. Tall grass is brown, flowers asleep.
It's the winter of our souls. Our Lord Jesus Christ will soon be put to death at the
hands of men and women.
The season of Lent brings with its passing the last harsh winds of winter. Already the
first shoots of wheat are touching the dreary landscape with color. We know the southerly
breezes and the tulips and the smell of spring rain are just out of reach.
And we know that our Redeemer lives!
The season of Lent, the winter of our souls, is a time for meditation, for deep
reflection. It was in the winter of our souls that Jesus died, cold and alone, so that
that we might live in the sunshine. Think of him now.
Follow me, he said, and I will make you fishers of men. Feed my lambs.
The ones to whom Christ spoke these words, Peter and Andrew, did not think they had
much talent. They were itinerant fishermen, workers without pedigree. Yet Jesus called
them: Follow me, feed my lambs.
And so he calls us. Follow me. Feed my lambs. We may feel clumsy and incompetent like
Peter and Andrew. Maybe we think we have nothing to offer. But each and every one of us is
gifted in some way by the Holy Spirit to do what Christ asks: Love one another. Go into
the world and make disciples. Feed the hungry. Care for the sick. Preach, teach, witness,
pray, proclaim, nurture, admonish, share. All things in love, according to our gifts.
This booklet is a gift to you. The meditations contained here are based on passages
from Scripture that encourage us to discover and use the spiritual gifts each of us has
been given by God. In joyful response to God's love, in the certainty of his empowering
presence, we are called to understand those gifts and channel them into Christian action.
As the gloom of winter fades into the brilliance of a Kansas spring, as the sadness of
the inexorable march to the cross dissolves into the unspeakable joy of resurrection, let
us join together in community and give thanks to our God who has given us all that we
have.
Follow him. Feed the lambs. |
God bless each of those writers who
chose to dedicate their time and talents to contribute to the Reformation Lutheran Church
Lenten Devotional |
Feb. 17
Feb. 18
Feb. 19
Feb. 20
Feb. 21
Feb. 22
Feb. 23
Feb. 24
Feb. 25
Feb. 26
Feb. 27
Feb. 28
Mar. 1
Mar. 2
Mar. 3
Mar. 4
Mar. 5
Mar. 6
Mar. 7
Mar. 8
Mar. 9
Mar. 10
Mar. 11
Mar. 12 |
Dallas Cronk
Ken Woodard
Barb Lee
Shari Ryding
Dee Hambright
Carl A. Nelson
Susan Martin
Cheryl Hoops
Judy McDiffett
Richard McDiffett
Pauline Latham
Dawn Gorges
Patty Taylor
Sean Taylor
Linda Stein
Jerry Whetstone
Mark Buxton
Tim Meyer
Amy Pletcher
Larry Frank
Jill Pletcher
Mark & Julie Hansen
Bruce Brittain
Rhonda Larma |
Mar. 13
Mar. 14
Mar. 15
Mar. 16
Mar. 17
Mar. 18
Mar. 19
Mar. 20
Mar. 21
Mar. 22
Mar. 23
Mar. 24
Mar. 25
Mar. 26
Mar. 27
Mar. 28
Mar. 29
Mar. 30
Mar. 31
Apr. 1
Apr. 2
Apr. 3
Apr. 4 |
Sandra Muse
Rod LaRue
Matt Leavitt
Josh Brandes
Dr. Kurt Soschinske
Wil Johnson
Lynda Carrier-Metz
Cheryl Johnson
Amy Ryding
Ray Smith
Dr. Eunice Myers
Doreen Leptien
Nora Steg
Susayn Brandes
Kevin O'Connell
Carla Johnson
Joanne Dumler
Jim Dumler
Keith Martin
Bob Weaver
Pastor Robert Kloth
Bishop Charles Maahs
Dr. Pastor Gerald Mansholt |
| Special thanks! Carolyn Pitts, Patty Taylor, Pam
Buxton, Bruce Brittain, and Lynda Carrier-Metz for writer assignments. Your time is
greatly appreciated. Thanks to Lotus Gerards and those who distributed these teachings to
our members and others throughout the community. |
| February 17, 1999 |
Revelation 1: 5-6 |
Each Person A Priest |
| To him who loved us and washed us from our sins in his
own blood, and has made us kings and priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and
dominion forever and ever. Amen. I am not a priest.
Priests are people who preach, teach, organize, administer, empathize, marry, bury,
visit, comfort, baptize, fraternize, and decide.
I can't preach, marry, bury, or baptize. I don't have the knowledge to teach. Hospitals
and nursing homes make me nervous; the grief of others ties my tongue. I work best in
solitude, am incompetent at chit-chat, always think of the right thing to say after I have
left the meeting, and – though I do make decisions -- they're often wrong. Obviously,
I am not a priest.
Priesthood is for the articulate, the compassionate, the wise. Priesthood is for the
ordained, for those who have special knowledge and special training.
No, says the Lord, speaking to me and to you, to all of us. Priesthood is for YOU.
You, child of God, sanctified by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, YOU
are a priest in the community of faith. Before you were born, I knew you. I have chosen
you and called you by your name. You are mine, marked with the cross of Christ forever.
Only a few of us are "priests' or 'pastors" or "ministers" in the
sense that we have received advanced education in theology and have been ordained in the
orders of our denomination. Our ordained brothers and sisters are given to us by God so
that we may be taught, encouraged, and uplifted as we make our own spiritual journeys.
But we -- all of us -- are partners in this ministry, because we are partners in
redemption. |
Prayer: Dear Lord, Earth is a big
place, and there is much work to be done here. Please help each one of us come to
understand what we can do, with the gifts you have given us, to make Christ known in the
lives of your people. Amen. |
| February 18, 1999 |
I John 3:16-18 |
In Short, It's About Love |
| "We know love by this, that he laid down his life
for us...Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and
truth." The message that I John 3:16 brings to us is one of hope and trust. Having
God give up the life of his only child so that we may believe and trust him, shows how
unselfish our Lord is. May we follow in his ways and wisdom! |
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to
better understand the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus has made for us, his sacrifice for our
sins. Fill our heart so that we may be a better example of your works and deeds. Amen. |
| February 19, 1999 |
Ephesians 4: 10-12 |
What is Really Important? |
| "It was he who gave gifts to mankind. He appointed
some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors
and teachers. He did this to prepare all God's people for the work of Christian service,
in order to build up the body of Christ." Recently our son was playing basketball
with a group of men from his church when one of them suddenly collapsed and died of a
massive heart attack. He was only 42 years old.
When our son told us about this, it was obvious that the incident was having a strong
impact on him. He said it has reminded him of how precious life is and made him think
about what is really important.
How many of us are so completely absorbed in our busy lives that we neglect to take
time to consider "What is really important?" Do you believe that God has a plan
for your life? Friends smile at a sign on the wall in my kitchen which reads: "God
put me on earth to accomplish certain things … I’m so far behind now, I may
never die!"
All of us are given spiritual gifts, "to prepare God’s people for works of
service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
What does God have in mind for you? |
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for
each spiritual gift you have given us. Please guide us in serving you. We pray in the name
of Jesus. Amen. |
| February 20, 1999 |
I Corinthians 12:7 |
See The Giftedness |
| "The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in
each person for the good of all." In America we live in a country rich in
diversity and various traditions. It is our strength. Too often though, we allow it to
become a wedge that divides us. This was never God’s intention. The manifestations of
the spirit were bestowed on each of us to use for the common good within the fellowship of
believers.
In society we espouse creativity but at the same time fail to value the contributions
of those who seem to have a "lesser role." In school settings our assessments
suggest that to be "successful" in life, children should fit a certain standard
… score well on a certain test.
I remember one dreary, rainy day. One particular child annoyed me and disrupted the
class with his incessant outbursts and his inability to remain still or focused. Fifty
children strained to hear instructions as our two classes had only twenty minutes to
perfect our skits before performing in front of the school.
Then the unthinkable happened. The child who was to introduce our skit, a primary role,
became ill. My source of irritation begged to be the replacement. Reluctantly, I agreed.
The child who had created havoc minutes before gave a flawless performance. Properly
channeled, his abundant energy became a special contribution to his group’s
performance.
As Christians we must strive to discover the special God-given gifts in each person,
and appreciate the unique contributions every person has to make. |
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, open
our eyes to the beauty you create in each of your children. Amen. |
| February 21, 1999 |
Proverbs 3:5-6 |
Let Go, Let God |
| "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean
not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your
paths." What kind of esteem do you want to obtain in this world? Do you want to
impress people in general, your family and friends, your employer, and above all, your
Father God?
Well, you will be pleased to know that the Bible states that you can achieve this goal.
If you want favor with both God and man, along with a reputation for good judgement and
common sense, there is only one way to make this a reality and that is to trust the Lord
completely – don’t ever trust yourself.
If you put God first in all things, he will direct all your efforts and crown them with
success. By following the mandate religiously, your life will be filled with wonderful
ideas, renewed health and vitality, and a faith that will grow stronger each day. |
Prayer: Dear Lord, please let us
remember to keep you first in our hearts and minds as we gratefully receive all your
blessings as we learn to rely upon you for everything. Amen. |
| February 22, 1999 |
Exodus 4:11-13 |
Say Yes To God |
| "The Lord said to him ... ‘Now go! I will
help you to speak and I will tell you what to say.’ But Moses answered, ‘No,
Lord, please send someone else.’" I was puzzled when I read the Bible verses
assigned to me.
Exodus 4:11-13 concerns the Lord speaking to Moses assuring him that he would provide
him with what was required of him to complete the task which the Lord had assigned to him.
Then, as I reflected on this text, I realized how much the Lord has guided my life over
the past fifty years.
I grew up in the Church but had wandered away for several years. Then in 1949 I came
back to the Church. It had to be the Lord guiding me in what he had for me to do.
I have been privileged to serve the Church in many ways over these many years. One of
the most rewarding experiences has been my service at Bethphage, an affiliate of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This organization serves and is an advocate for
people with disabilities so that they may achieve their full potential. In this
assignment, it has been the guiding hand of the Lord that made it possible for me to help
make a real difference in that institution.
I have been truly blessed and am thankful the Lord continues to guide me in my daily
life. |
Prayer: Gracious Father, we know what
it is you would have us do. We feel so weak and inadequate when the situation begs for us
to speak out in your name. We continually fall so short of what you expect of us. Please
give us the courage and commitment to be your spokespeople in a world that is hungering
for your Good news. In Jesus' Holy Name, Amen. |
| February 23, 1999 |
John 15:16 |
You Are Chosen |
| "You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed
you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures." Jesus chose his
disciples carefully, for their purpose was of great magnitude. Jesus had a "full
plate" - much to accomplish in so little time. He needed help, good help, thus his
disciples were "handpicked." Jesus' work and the work of his disciples were just
the beginning of God's Long-Range Planning Committee. Our task is to continue the good
works of the Lord by being disciples of Christ.
Each and every one of us has special gifts (fruits) that are God-given. It is up to
each of us to use our fruits to continue the good works of the Lord. We've all been
greatly blessed and must continue to "bear more fruit." When we feel the painful
pinch of pruning shears, we must remember that the pruning stimulates growth, which in
turn increases our ability to bear fruit. Choose your companions wisely, and with them
continue to spread the goodness of the Lord. |
Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, help
me to keep my heart, mind, words and actions Christ-like. Let me continue to share the
good news with others while I continue to live, grow and bear fruits in your name. Amen. |
| February 24, 1999 |
Jeremiah 1:4-8 |
Yes, You Can |
| "The Lord said to me, ‘I chose you before I
gave you life, and before you were born I selected you....’ I answered, ‘Lord, I
don't know how to speak...’ But the Lord said to me...’Go to the people ... Do
not be afraid of them, for I will be with you to protect you.’" If you are
like me, you have been presented with many opportunities to serve God but have said no,
"I can’t do that." We say we don’t feel equal to the task due to lack
of training, interest, or we simply the lack the self-confidence to do the job. Do you
ever wonder whether you are thwarting God’s plan for you by not being willing to
answer the call?
Jeremiah initially responded that same way when God called him to be a prophet to the
nations when he was only a young man of about 18. Jeremiah said something like,
"I’m too young. I don’t know how to speak to nations. I wouldn’t know
what to say, and they wouldn’t listen to me, anyway." Well, God had determined
Jeremiah’s spiritual destiny even before he was born, and he told Jeremiah not to
worry, that he would put his words in Jeremiah’s mouth. God promised Jeremiah that he
would be his source and would equip him to do the job God had planned for him. God gave
Jeremiah the Spiritual Gifts to carry out God’s plan.
God will do the same for us today when we respond to his call to serve. God will be our
source and provide what we need to do the job he asks of us. We need to remember that what
God calls us to do, may not be a line item on our resumes, and that Spiritual Gifts are
not gotten by college credit. Spiritual Gifts come to us from God, providing us with all
that we need to fulfill the plan that he has especially for each of us.
Jeremiah trusted God’s promise to provide and he obeyed. You and I must listen for
God’s call, trust his promise to provide what is necessary, and respond with
obedience. |
Prayer: Lord, help me to respond
willingly to your call, not because of what I might accomplish, but because of what you
can accomplish through me. |
| February 25, 1999 |
Matthew 11:29-30 |
A Burden Shared |
| "Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from
me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find the rest. For the yoke I
will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light." How reassuring
are these words! Who has not felt weary and burdened at some point in time? At times we
are discouraged and wonder if we will ever feel joy, peace, and contentment again.
Eighteen months ago I experienced one of those times. My dearest friend, Tommie was
killed. The weeks and months following her death were the darkest time in my life.
Everything seemed nightmarish and surreal. The nightmare did not come during sleep, the
nightmare engulfed me when I was awake.
My beloved friend had shared with me a deep and abiding faith in God. I took comfort in
the knowledge that she was with God. My faith in God is all that kept me sane during this
time of grief.
My family, friends, and church family offered me support. I was appointed a Stephen
Minister to work through the pain and grief that seemed to consume me. During this time,
she was there to offer care, comfort, and support.
God has blessed each of us with many gifts. Some have been given musical ability.
Others are artistic and create beautiful works of art. Some are great teachers who help us
to understand God's truths. Still others plan fellowship activities which brings us
together to celebrate our faith. God has given many the gift of empathy. Some have chosen
to develop this gift into an intentional ministry to others through the Stephen Ministry
program.
I am thankful that I am a member of a church that has developed a Stephen Ministry
program. I will always be grateful to my Stephen Minister for her non-judgmental support,
her empathy and understanding. My journey would have been more difficult without her to
walk beside me. This lovely lady, my Stephen Minister, will always have a special place in
my heart. Thank you, Carol. |
Prayer: Dear Lord, how can we thank
you for those people, your servants, who share our burdens and walk with us through times
of trial? Bless them and keep them in your care. They are the hands and voice of Christ,
in whose name we pray. Amen |
| February 26, 1999 |
Isaiah 6:8 |
Is It I, Lord? |
| "Then I heard the Lord say, ‘Whom shall I
send? Who will be our messenger?’ I answered, ‘I will go! Send me!’" There
are so many people suffering that need God’s loving balm. If we are to be effective
Christians and spread God’s love we have much to do. Only 20% of today’s church
members are actively engaged in spreading God’s message. That will not get the job
done. We truly need to evaluate our talents and engage in the true spirit of being a
Christian. We all have talents given to us by the Holy Spirit. We need to identify them
and become involved. Twenty percent of the church can’t do it all.
The early Bible shows a God whose anger is kindled against man’s rebellion. Even
his chosen people, the Israelites, did not obey and trust in him. Man broke covenants with
God.
God sent messengers. In Isaiah 6:8, the Lord wanted to send a messenger to bring us
back to obedience. When he asked, "who shall I send?" the prophet Isaiah
answered, "Send me Lord!"
Another messenger was his Son, Jesus, whom God sent to live among us as a man. Jesus
Christ was born of a human mother in a cold stable. He was raised as a human child and
helped his father in his business. Older, he began to preach the message calling us back
to God. He also asked for help. He called to the disciples to follow him and learn while
he tended to the poor, the sick, and the broken hearted. He addressed both their most
basic and spiritual needs.
Closer to our time another individual stands out as being called by God. Martin Luther
saw the Christian church of the day once again straying from God’s word. But God
continued to love us.
Less than 5% of the humans on earth are Christian or have heard Christ’s message.
Is God calling you to spread his word, to tend to those who are suffering, need help, or
to those who have strayed? Like those messengers before us, what spiritual gifts has the
Lord provided you that you can share? Are you asking God to "send you?" |
Prayer: Lord, we are a belligerent
people. Too often we don’t trust you or depend on you, as you have asked. Open our
hearts, soften our hearts, to hear how you are calling us. What is it that you want from
each of us? Make your desires known, so we too can be your messengers. Amen. |
| February 27, 1999 |
Luke 12:48 |
How Gifted We Are! |
| "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much
will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the
more." Each of us is blessed with spiritual gifts. Some are able to do a beautiful
job of shining up the church kitchen while others like to serve their church by keeping
the lawn and grounds in good shape. Then there are twenty-eight people who volunteer their
services by teaching Sunday School and leading our children to the Lord. There are ushers,
choir members, bell choir members, communion assistants, acolytes, cross bearers, torch
bearers, lectors, tellers, council members, Bible study leaders, greeters, parish nurses,
Boy Scout leaders, Stephen Ministers, ChristCare leaders, BTOL leaders, Women of
Reformation leaders, and all the workers in the LOGOS program. Now why would anyone think
that they could list all the volunteer jobs connected with the church -- impossible, but I
tried. Many spiritual gifts were not even mentioned above but are performed at our church
on a regular basis.
Many members of our congregation are blessed with great gifts and much is expected of
them. Some of these gifts are the ability to guide others to Christ by their example,
their monetary gifts, their ability to lead in important tasks, and on and on. Then there
are others with less abilities, but they too are expected to gladly do according to the
talents that the Lord has given them. |
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help us all
to be aware of the spiritual gifts that you have given us and to use them for the
furtherance of your kingdom. Amen. |
| February 28, 1999 |
Isaiah 40:31 |
On Eagle's Wings |
| "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not be faint." Shhhh. Quiet, please. It is Lent.
Throughout the church year we claim to listen to the Word of God. But do we hear the
Word of God? Do we take time to quietly contemplate the words we hear on Sunday and during
Bible studies? Often we do not, because our lives are frenzied. We enter Sunday worship
into our day-planners. It is part of our weekly planning; we do not plan our week around
the Word of God.
We are restless, moving from one activity to another without seriously considering the
meaning of the events of our day. It is an easy way to live.
Easy now, because in order to truly hear the Word of God we must be quiet. Lent is the
season for penitence. It is a time for quiet contemplation of lost dreams, mislaid hopes
and misdeeds. Lent hurts, yet we must examine our lives in light of the Word. However,
when we do that we often feel grief and guilt over the past, and we become anxious about
the future.
Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in
me." In our restlessness, we ignore Godıs shelter and comfort. We do not know
God’s comfort because we are not idle long enough to realize our sinfulness and our
corresponding need for comfort.
Be still this afternoon. Contemplate the words you heard in worship today. Consider you
life in light of the Word of God. Allow your feelings, your tears, to spill forth. Let God
comfort and love you. |
Prayer: Merciful God, we are a
prideful people. We struggle to do your will without your help, and we make mistakes.
Forgive us. We are weak, and we need your comfort. Continue to bless us, please. Amen. |
| March 1, 1999 |
Mark 1:17-18 |
Follow Me |
| "Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I
will make you become fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed
him." When my father died it was very hard for me to talk to anyone - even Jesus.
For the most part I turned my back on God. I was hurt and angry and could not understand
why he did this to me.
During this time I always felt as if he was trying to get my attention. I would go to
church every now and then, but I was still too angry to listen. I did not want to be close
to anyone - even God.
When I joined Reformation I was asked to be a ChristCare Group leader. During one of
our meetings I finally admitted that I turned my back on Jesus at a time when I needed him
most. After sharing my story I felt like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I
finally had released all of the anger I felt about my father’s death. God had finally
gotten my attention.
So now when people ask me if God calls us to share our gifts or to get our attention, I
answer YES! God called me to join Reformation and become a member of a church family. He
led me in the direction my life needed to go. And I followed. |
Prayer: We thank you Lord for always
directing our lives to your service. I offer to you my time and abilities to do your work.
Amen. |
| March 2, 1999 |
John 15:4 |
Fruit Comes From The Vine |
| "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot
bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in
me." There have been times in my life where it seemed like I just went off on my
own, and I did not follow the path that God had planned for me. I soon found myself
farther away from Christ, and many aspects of my life were not in perspective.
Listening to God and trying to follow the path that he wants me to follow has enriched
my life. I am happier, and I am more focused with Christ and my family.
One way that I have tried to follow Christ is to try and better utilize my time for
Christ. An example of this is during my daily commute to work. I used to listen to the
radio when I drove to work. Three years ago I turned the radio off, and now I use that
time to talk with God. I feel renewed and have strength for the day.
This was the first step that I took to feed of my vine for Christ. My daily prayers
gave me a need to want to be closer to Christ, and for my wife and I to have a marriage
with Christ at the center.
I am making changes in my life to be closer to God. I may not be perfect, but now that
I am growing closer to God, I feel an inner peace and strength that brings joy to my life. |
Prayer: Lord, please give me the
strength to overcome my weaknesses and to share my gifts with others. |
| March 3, 1999 |
Acts 4:31 |
Doubt The Spirit? |
| "And when they had prayed, the place where they
were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and
they spoke the word of God with boldness." Have you ever doubted that God’s
spirit was out of reach in your daily life?
Peter relates that until Joel’s prophecy, common people believed that the spirit
was only available to royalty and judges.
It is affirmed in this passage that his spirit is available to all that believe in him.
This gives even the humblest of mankind a reason for fulfillment of dreams and visions.
It is a comfort for me, in my vocation, serving and caring for people at the close of
their lives, that spiritual peace can be there for them.
This confirmation allows each of us an opportunity to reach out to others and share
this assurance of spirituality daily.
Personally, it gives me a deepened strength in my faith and a hopeful heart that will
carry me through my daily life. |
Prayer: Thank you Lord for giving us
the assurance that your spirit is available to us, which will give us strengthened faith
and hope for our tomorrows. Amen. |
| March 4, 1999 |
Joel 2:28 |
See the Need |
| "And it shall come to pass that I will pour out my
Spirit on all flesh: Your sons and daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream
dreams; your young men shall see visions." Joel writes about the disasters of his
time. The locusts came in droves devouring everything In their path. They left nothing for
the people to eat and starvation was probable. However, as we read on we find that Joel
was not as concerned about the disaster itself, as he was to how the people of Israel
would respond.
1999 has been dubbed by some as "The year of disasters." There were local
disasters such as the grain elevator explosion, and the floods that struck parts of
Wichita and many surrounding communities. There were also many disasters worldwide, such
as the hurricane in Honduras that left thousands homeless and without adequate food and
water.
Disasters, both large and small, have been and will always be a part of our lives. The
important thing in our day, just as it was in Joel’s day, is how we respond. We as a
people of God are challenged by these disasters to reach out and help those in need. Our
positive response to the needs of others is just another way that we can use the gifts
that God has given to US. |
Prayer: Dear God, as we so often
pray, "your will be done," help us to draw strength from the blessings you
bestow upon us, and let us be tempered by the trials that we experience in our daily
lives. Amen. |
| March 5, 1999 |
Luke 1:38 |
Thy Will Be Done |
| "’I am the Lord's servant,’ said Mary,
‘may it happen to me as you have said.’" I feel the Lord has a reason
for all of us to be living. The Lord has established goals and morals for all of us. He
sends angels upon us, and sees our success.
I think the Lord has put me here to help others in need and provide help for all when
it is needed. As I continue my quest to become an Eagle Scout, I realize how important it
is to be a charitable person. I have learned to respect all living things and recognize
their beauty. An angel has spoken to me and allowed me to be helpful to all who need it. |
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to
remember our purpose and goals in life. Allow us to provide for those in need. Allow us to
keep setting goals in our life. Amen. |
| March 6, 1999 |
Romans 12:2 |
Which Way Is Up? |
| "Do not conform yourselves to the standards of
this world, but let God transform you inwardly ...then you will be able to know the will
of God." In high school I was exposed to a quotation from Harry Truman. It goes
something like this: "The purpose of education is to make you as different from your
parents as possible." That little pearl still lurks in the back of my mind. How
should I be different from my parents? How is "education" going to change me,
and is the change good? What parts of my parents were different from their parents? What
should we keep, and what should we throw away? Ach, du lieber! All the questions!
The old way for humanity to "improve" is to pull itself up by its bootstraps.
That's cowboy talk for reaching down to the tops of your boots, grabbing the pull-on
straps and pulling both as hard as you can to get yourself up onto the next step. There's
surely nothing wrong with education, but it's something that we're all in the middle of.
We're standing in our boots, pulling like mad. It doesn't really change us. By ourselves
we don't even know which way is up. And if we could find out, we couldn't get there using
the bootstrap method.
What we all need (and what Christ gives us daily) is the transformation of which Paul
wrote to the church in Rome. Humanity has been trying the bootstrap approach for a long
time. But that whole idea is out of synch with God's plan. The forgiveness God gives
changes us from outside. This transformation doesn't mean that we no longer have fun, or
that we no longer worry about the world's needs. It means that our whole approach to
existence is changed. We don't measure ourselves by comparison with parents, grandparents,
brothers, sisters, friends, or anyone else. The new purpose is to "prove what is the
will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
That's a tall order. Who knows the mind of God? The "perfect" will of God
might also be translated as the "complete" will of God. This means that it's a
process. Every day God makes more of his will known for each of us. Our goal is to
demonstrate that his will uniquely applies to each of our lives. That just might mean
making the most of "education."
We need to take our hands off our bootstraps and recognize the transformation. God's
already taken care of "lifting" us up, and making us different from our parents.
It's a whole new world. |
Prayer: Dear Father, help us to
conform to your standards, and not our own standards or to the standards of those around
us. Amen. |
| March 7, 1999 |
Jeremiah 29:12-13 |
Gifts Come In Many
Packages |
| "Then you will come to me and pray to me and I
will answer you. You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all
your heart." As a student leaving for college next year, I spend a fair amount of
time wishing that God would just post a billboard somewhere to let me know where I should
be going, as well as what I should be doing with the rest of my life. However, I get the
feeling that either God isn’t terribly fond of billboards or he has posted it
somewhere in the Sahara Desert. That simply means that I am learning to trust that God
will open the doors to the places I am meant to be. I may just not know where they are
ahead of time. The same philosophy applies to the gifts that I know God has given me. Some
gifts I have already found and am learning to use, such as my ability within theatre. For
example, I began working at Music Theatre of Wichita on a whim one summer, mostly as
something to do for three months. I quickly realized that I had a gift for the
craftsmanship, but I had no idea that I was working for God as well.
However, one day a woman came backstage and told us that theatre was one of the only
times that she left her house and she thanked us for helping to create the magic that she
saw every two weeks. It was then that I realized that God was using my ability in
artisanship to create a magical escape for people. Since then, I have returned to Music
Theatre every summer and I love watching the faces of the people who get caught up in the
story and who take the happiness of the characters and make it their own. So what started
as a whim turned out to be one unexpected way to bring some joy to the lives of people I
would never otherwise meet. God does indeed have his plans. |
Prayer: Lord, help us to realize that
all gifts can be used for your cause and that you are there to help us find even the most
unexpected of gifts. Amen. |
| March 8, 1999 |
Deuteronomy 31:6 |
Be Strong And Have No
Fear |
| "Be strong and of good courage; do not fear and be
afraid. For the Lord your God, he is the one who goes before you. He will be with you. He
will not leave you nor forsake you." At the end of the previous chapter Moses said
to the people, "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses." He
called on them to choose – to choose between God and other gods by saying
"choose life, so that you and your descendants may live."
Even today the choice is ours – what we choose determines the direction our life
will take. Too often we try to make excuses; we blame someone or something for where we
are – or where we are not. But that excuse does not stand, for ultimately it is our
choice in what direction we will go. And if we choose Jesus, choose life, the promise is
he will be with us, always.
At the end of Matthew’s gospel in the "great commission," Jesus said,
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations – and remember I am with you
always, to the end of the age." Jesus promises that he will be with us - just as God
promised the people of Israel so long ago.
And now this same promise is with the people of Reformation Lutheran Church as we seek
to live out our mission as servants of God guided by the Holy Spirit to make Christ known
in our world. We all have gifts, different and varied spiritual gifts. God wants us to use
them in his service and so he says be strong, bold, have no fear, because the Lord your
God goes with you, and he will not fail or forsake you. |
Prayer: Holy God of Israel, remember
us with your love and mercy today and everyday. Guide and direct us as we make choices and
use our spiritual gifts in your service. Amen. |
| March 9, 1999 |
Galatians 5:22-23, 25 |
A Still, Small Voice |
| "The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control ... the Spirit has given us
life; he must also control our lives." When I was growing up, one of the things I
loved to do was bake. When I was first learning, mom warned me how important it was to
measure the ingredients carefully and not to leave anything out. Unlike other kinds of
cooking, baking requires specific proportions of ingredients in order to turn out right.
In one of my early attempts, I popped a cake into the oven and eagerly waited for it to
finish baking. When I pulled it from the oven, however, the middle was still mostly
liquid. In looking back at the recipe, I realized I had used the wrong amount of one of
the main ingredients! The fruits of my labor were clearly not what I wanted or expected!
So it is with our lives. If I have my attention tuned to God's Spirit and choose to
follow his guidance, the Bible tells me there will be specific results identified as the
fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control (can you imagine a world filled with those?). If, however, I look
at my actions and see impatience, jealousy, anger, meanness, discontent or lack of
self-control, it's pretty clear I didn't either hear or follow the recipe that the Holy
Spirit wanted to share with me!
It takes practice to learn how to listen to that still, small voice. As we develop in
our faith, though, it's wonderful to have such clear markers that indicate that we're on
the right track! |
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me tune out
the noise in my life so that I can focus on what you want for me. Amen. |
| March 10, 1999 |
Romans 12:4-6 |
Many Become One |
| "We have many parts in the one body, and all these
parts have different functions. In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in
union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of one body. So
we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given
us." Every successful organization or family becomes successful by combining their
individual units together to act as one. A church family is no different. By the grace of
God, we all have particular talents in different areas. One individual's strong point may
be another's weakness. The more active people an organization has, the better equipped it
is to succeed in all areas. It is important for us, individually, to evaluate our
strengths and weaknesses. It is equally important to encourage each other and add to those
strengths. Hopefully, there will be someone else that is strong in our area of weakness.
It is also important that those with particular strengths recognize them and are willing
to share them with others. Our church family is a very diverse group. "For as we have
many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are
one body in Christ." God has truly blessed each and every one of us. It is our
responsibility to use, not waste, what God has given. We must use our gift in a way that
benefits not only us, but those around us. Only then can we become complete as many become
one. |
Prayer: God, help us to realize what
many blessings you have given us. It is by your grace that we are able to not only use our
God given gifts, but to share them with others. By sharing, help us to better serve you
and make us a more complete family in our church. |
| March 11, 1999 |
John 15:17 |
Discipleship by Phone |
| "This, then, is what I command you: Love one
another." Jesus commands us to love one another in the context of Jesus as the
vine, God as the husbandman or gardener, and his followers as the branches of the vine.
The fruits of each branch - discipleship, witness, relationship and the use of the rest
of our God-given gifts - are what make the vine productive and strengthen each branch of
the vine through growth.
In our family, we wonder how our spiritual growth would have blossomed if not for
responding to one phone call. We attended church, we had a spiritual life but we weren't
growing enough spiritually.
Barb Lee simply called and asked us to participate in the Stewardship program with Stan
Rose. As soon as we got involved, we realized how much more interested we were in the
stewardship program, discipleship, and in teaching our children. Our spiritual life was
changing.
We are so thankful to God for opening this door for us. A phone call is an invitation
that seems so simple, yet we have grown enormously in our spirituality from this one act
of witness and discipleship.
Jesus as the vine will grow, while each of us, as branches, will be fruitful by
recognizing our Spiritual Gifts and sharing those gifts with everyone, and by loving one
another. |
Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is easy
for us to love those who love us - our families and those who are close. It's difficult to
for those who dislike us or have offended us. Lord, fill our hearts with your spirit so
that your love for us spills out to everyone around us, including those who are less than
loveable. In Jesus' Holy name, Amen. |
| March 12, 1999 |
I Corinthians 12:15-17 |
A Role For Every Member |
| "If the ear were to say, 'Because I am not an eye,
I don't belong to the body,' that would not keep it from being a part of the body. If the
whole body were just an eye, how could it hear? And if it were only an ear, how could it
smell?" How many times do we compare ourselves to others and say, why can't I do
what they do, or be as good as they are, whether it be in sports, singing, playing the
piano, doing our job, being a parent, or even being a caring, giving Christian? Our world
is so focused on being the best, and having the best and most of everything. We fill our
lives with trying to accomplish every possible activity - to the point where I wonder if
we're really achieving the intended purpose of the activity. God doesn't tell us we ALL
have to be doctors, or lawyers, or accountants or a certain profession. He doesn't tell us
we have to be good at EVERYTHING. What he does tell us, is that each person is given
special gifts. And these gifts are not the same for everyone. We are not all hands, or
eyes, or feet or ears. As the verse says, there is a purpose for each part of the body,
and the body works together. Likewise, each person has special gifts and purposes. I
believe God's desire is for each of us to find out what our gifts are, and use them to the
GLORY OF GOD! And in doing so, we can all help each other as a part of the body of Christ.
I challenge each of us to find out what our gifts are and to use them to GOD'S GLORY! |
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, help us
to search out and find our special gifts. Help us to willingly use these gifts for your
glory. Amen. |
| March 13, 1999 |
I Thessalonians 5: 11-13 |
Who is your Teacher? |
| "Comfort each other and edify one another ... and
we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you ... esteem them very highly
in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves." Do you remember your
teachers in school? I remember some of mine. I remember the best and the worst. The
average teacher is easily forgotten. What about the teachers in this church? I am not
talking about the teachers in the Sunday School alone. Paul appeals to us to support the
teachers as they are above us. We all teach, but only a few are teachers. I teach my
daughter, but I am not a teacher. I teach my husband and he teaches me, but we are not
teachers. A teacher is someone special. Paul places the gift of teaching above miracles
and just below the apostles and prophets.
A teacher, a good teacher, teaches more than the student. One of Sara's first teachers
was Lotus Gerards. When Sara came home after Sunday School and I talked with her about
what happened in Sunday School, Lotus also taught me. Even now, when Sara tells us what
happened in Confirmation Class, I have to rethink my memories of confirmation and what I
believe as a Christian.
Sunday School supports me. I find Sunday morning incomplete without the combination of
Church and Sunday School. Teaching, preaching, singing, communion, fellowship are needed
to make the day complete. Paul adds the admonition to support the teachers. While I am
getting support from Pastor Jerry as a teacher, when does he or the other teachers get
support? When was the last time I, or you, ever thanked a teacher?
So thank you. Thank you for teaching me facts on the Bible, math, history, English,
etc. Thank you for being an example to me in your daily life and church life. I may forget
the names of all my teachers, but I remember, for better or worse, the lessons. I remember
that Jesus spent the days before and after Easter teaching his disciples. Even the lessons
they did not then understand became meaningful after his death and resurrection. |
Prayer: I give thanks to you Lord for
your teachings and teachers. As you have taught us by you example, as my teachers have
taught me by example, let me teach others and support your teachers. Amen |
| March 14, 1999 |
John 21:15 |
Feeding the Flock |
| "Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of Jonah,
do you love me more than these?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' He
said to him, 'Feed my lambs.'" In this verse, Jesus restored Peter's love toward
him, then Jesus said to Peter "Feed my lambs." What Jesus means by "Feed my
lambs" is to supply spiritual nourishment for others. After studying this verse and
the next several verses in the 21st chapter of John, I better understand that we must not
only care for and look after our brothers and sisters in the Lord, but we must also feed
them with spiritual food. In order to provide that spiritual nourishment, we must love the
Lord by believing in him, receiving him, and having faith in him. Without that love of the
Lord, we cannot be effective in tending to the spiritual needs of others.
Everyone has different talents and aptitudes. Even the smallest, seemingly
insignificant gesture made with the love of the Lord can provide spiritual food for the
"flock" and bring others closer to Jesus. As we go about our every day life we
should enjoy our relationship with the Lord and the spiritual nourishment provided to us
by others. We must also be mindful of Jesus' charge to us as his followers to pass that
love of the Lord and spiritual nourishment on to others. |
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me like you
helped Peter to love you more, so that I might feed others with the richness of your
spirit. Amen. |
| March 15, 1999 |
Romans 1:11-12 |
A Blessing to Each Other |
| "For I long to visit you so that I can impart to
you the faith that will help your church grow strong in the Lord. Then, too, I need your
help, for I want not only to share my faith with you, but to be encouraged by yours: Each
of us will be a blessing to the other." When I was initially asked to write a
devotional, I had no idea what to do. The idea of writing a devotional seemed very
strange. What was I supposed to do? Am I supposed to analyze the verse, or perhaps
I’m supposed to share an experience of mine that relates to this verse? I’ll try
to do both!
I believe that this verse affirms what we all want, to grow stronger in our faith and
understanding of our God. But how can we do this if we can’t visit with God? This
answer is provided for us in the verse. We have God’s help, but he has also given us
additional help in the form of friends and family. Thus the last line: "Each of us
will be a blessing to the other." This was evident in my life once as well.
A few years ago, I went on a mission trip. My friends and I were all working together
down in Louisiana, all in the name of God. I didn’t actually visit with God, but I
did learn more about him, and I grew stronger in him with the help of my friends and youth
leaders around me. Each of us was a blessing to the other!
This is what I believe this verse is saying. I believe that we are all blessings to
each other, which can help each of us to grow in our faith in God, and help us understand
him every day! |
Prayer: Dear God. Help us in our
daily lives so that we may be a blessing to each other. Amen. |
| March 16, 1999 |
I Corinthians 12:4-6 |
Many Ways Of Serving |
| "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but
the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is
served. There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability
to everyone for their service." Although children have always been attracted to
me, there are times when I want to tape their mouths shut and scream bloody murder. But
then I remember that my gift of attracting children also means they like or look up to me.
So I have to stay cool, not yell, or swear, and set a good example.
Someday I know my kids will rather look up to some cool teen. All I hope is that a
certain person will take full advantage of their gift and be a good role model. |
Prayer: Dear God, as I go through
this day, help me to remember who is watching me and give me strength to set a good
example for them. Amen. |
| March 17, 1999 |
Matthew 25:35-36 |
See Christ In You |
| "I was hungry and you gave me a drink; I was a
stranger and you received me in your home, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you
took care of me, in prison and you visited me." When I was looking at the passage
for this day's Lenten devotional, I tried to relate it to the discovery and use of my own
spiritual gifts. However, in looking deeper into the passage I found more than I had
expected.
Jesus related several examples of how his blessed flock used their spiritual gifts of
compassion, kindness, and love to not only fill the earthly needs of others, but also
their spiritual needs.
Those not of his flock wondered to whom the Lord was referring. Certainly they would
have helped those whom they recognized as being of God or deserving of God's mercy. The
Lord replied that if they did not minister to the least of humanity, they did not minister
to him.
It was easier for me to understand what the Lord meant when I recalled how God made us
in his own image. Seeing the image of God in each person allowed me to see how we are all
of the same family of Christ: fallen, yet receiving God's mercy if we accept it, and
challenged to encourage others to seek it. I just have to keep getting the "log"
out of my eyes.
Jesus gave several examples of spiritual giving which were possible in biblical times.
Today we have the ability to communicate and coordinate over vast distances with the click
of a mouse or the pushing of telephone buttons. We can pool our talents by coming together
from miles around in a matter of minutes, and go back to our own individual lives in the
same amount of time.
We also can literally help people we don't even know thousands of miles away by our
contributions of time and money at home, and at the same time we can influence the
spiritual growth of a child in our congregation by our attention and guidance. The
question of spiritual gifts for me then becomes one of identifying my gifts, seeing the
image of God in each of us, and using it in my church, community and world to fulfill
God's plan for us in his world. |
Prayer: Lord, let us discover and
develop our spiritual gifts to fulfill the earthly and spiritual needs of others. Help us
to recognize your image in each of us, so that we may share in your blessings and built up
the body of your church. |
| March 18, 1999 |
James 2:14,17 |
Faith Without Fruit? |
| "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says
he has faith but does not have works? ...Faith by itself, without works, is dead." Consider
this. There are two trees side by side in an orchard. The sign over the gate to that
orchard reads:
"SMITH'S APPLE ORCHARD."
The trees look the same. Their leaves are the same. Their
sizes are very similar. The bark appears to be identical.
Neither tree shows signs of damage or disease.
But ---- come harvest time ---- the branches on one tree are bending low with the
weight of a bumper crop of apples. The other tree has only leaves. It makes one wonder. Are
they both apple trees?
One could push the parable further. Other trees in the orchard have apples in varying
amounts. One might question the vitality of those trees with few apples. But there would
be no doubt that they are indeed APPLE TREES.
Are they both apple trees? ... What do you think?
Scripture tells us that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. |
Prayer: Loving God, enable me today,
to live so closely to you, that your Holy Spirit will cause to grow in me those fruits
that are well pleasing to you. Amen. |
| March 19, 1999 |
I Peter 4:10-11 |
Good Enough For God! |
| "Each one, as a good manager of God's different
gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God." Everyone
has been given a special gift in order to serve the Lord. Sometime ago when we studied
this chapter before, I wrote in my Bible, "God doesn’t love me because I’m
valuable. I’m valuable because God loves me." How can I praise and give glory to
God? The answer to this is how we should strive to spend our energy and time.
God provided each of us special gifts. Growing up, I liked to sing. In high school I
would sing with the 8-track blasting as my backup band when I drove through our city. I
stood in our wheat field at the farm and would pretend I was Julie Andrews. I didn’t
hesitate to sing at school for concerts, solos, or musicals. Then the invitation came to
sing at the church I grew up in. I endured the rehearsals with the choir director. But the
Sunday of my solo I became ill. Very sick. Stage fright! I called the church and told the
person who answered the phone I was terribly sick and couldn’t sing.
It wasn’t until years later at Reformation Church, that I was asked to sing in
church. I shared my story of fright with Trudy Schmalz, the choir director. She told me
that my voice had been given to me as a gift from God, and that I should use it to praise
him, in his home. She convinced me that the quality of voice, or the mistakes I might make
didn’t matter to him. Only the giving mattered.
I pray each time before I sing that the gift I am about to give will be pleasing to
God. I am not a professional singer and I do make mistakes, but I celebrate all that God
has given me through this particular gift.
God has made each of us rich with gifts. Some talents provided make us financially rich
or even famous. How do we use these talents to praise God? If we fail to use God’s
gifts, do we let our Lord down? |
Prayer: Father, please let each of us
see the gifts you have provided us. Even if utilizing those gifts is new to us,
unsettling, or scary, provide a forum to practice and develop, so that we can offer up the
talent that you have provided to celebrate your word. |
| March 20, 1999 |
I John 4:10 |
Sacrifice For Love |
| "This is what love is: It is not that we have
loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the means by which our sins are
forgiven." Lent is a good time for us to reflect on the true depth of God’s
love for us. This verse reminds me of the great sacrifice God made for us. As a parent, I
cannot imagine being able to sacrifice my child for the sake of someone else’s sins.
I am so very grateful for the real love that God feels for us. I feel that love
everyday with all the blessings God has given me. I am blessed with a loving family,
supportive friends, and good health. God has also made me part of a loving, caring church
family.
My prayer for Reformation this season is that we joyfully make any sacrifices necessary
to spread the good news of God’s love to those around us. |
Prayer: Dear God, you are a kind and
loving God that provides all we need and more. Help me to always be aware of the blessings
you have provided. So often we take for granted what you make possible. In all you have
sacrificed for us, we thank you. Amen. |
| March 21, 1999 |
Luke 6:38 |
My Cup Runneth Over |
| "Give to others, and God will give to you. Indeed,
you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands -- all that
you can hold." Not long ago, I heard from a friend in Hungary. He talked of his
surprise and joy at the overwhelming response by his family and friends to his 40th
birthday. Though I cannot do this man justice with my few words feebly placed together on
this page, I would like to share why he came to mind when I first read this verse. You
see, my friend has reason to be bitter, and reason to feel remorse. He could easily
question "Why?" and doubt the hand of God. He could shake his fists or let his
head hang down.
But, he doesn't.
Rather than being bitter, he has let the Lord set him free. Instead of cowering to the
burden of remorse, he stands tall. He questions not "Why?" but "How can I
help?" And his hands are open, his eyes are turned up.
I thought of him when I read, "Give and it will be given to you." I know few
who offer the Lord so much, who give so freely without expectation of return, and who love
so honestly with the pure light of a forgiving God. Somehow, this man does what should be
miraculous, finding time to help, to guide, to listen, to entertain, and to care for all
who are needy, whether their lack is great or small. He is at once a counselor, a
minister, a teacher, a cook, a father, and an advocate. He finds jobs for the jobless, and
affords dignity to those with none. Day in and out he gives, even though his efforts are
rarely praised or acknowledged.
But, then came his 40th birthday. And with no knowledge, and certainly no expectation,
his friends threw him a huge party. And for the 40 days that followed, he received some
kind of gift, from 40 paper angels affixed to his door, to a breakfast complete with live
guitar music. His cup runneth over, the measurement of his efforts returned in full. I can
only think of Jesus' promise, not only to my friend, but also to me, and to all who
believe in him. |
Prayer: Most generous and giving God,
thank you for our daily blessings, the foretaste of your eternal promise – the
greatest gift of all. Amen |
| March 22, 1999 |
I Corinthians 13:1-2 |
Faith Or Just Noise? |
| "I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may
have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move
mountains -- but if I have no love, I am nothing." One day a dad and young son
stopped and helped a lady change a flat tire. The boy was only nine. He talked to the lady
while the dad changed the tire. It wasn't long until both the lady and the dad and son
were on their way again. The son asked way they had taken the time to help. The dad told
him that we should love our neighbor and assist them when we find someone in need. It is
not enough to say I well help. It is when we get in and help that our deeds speak for us.
If we would have passed the lady by and not helped, our words of love for our neighbor
would be the same as a lot of noise. |
Prayer: Lets us pray for the strength
to share the love of the lord with all we meet. Amen. |
| March 23, 1999 |
Mark 10:43-45 |
Serve to Be First |
| "If one of you wants to be great, he must be the
servant of the rest...for even the Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve
and to give his life to redeem many people." In today’s reading we learn that
Jesus came to serve all people, even giving his life as a "ransom for many." A
ransom indicates an unjust sacrifice in order to save another. Surely no ransom could be
more unfair than that Jesus, both divine and a man with no sin, should suffer and die so
that you and I might be saved from sin and death.
I had never noticed the last part of the verse, that Jesus is a ransom for many.
Compare the words of institution at the Last Supper: "This is my blood of the
covenant, which is poured out for many" (Mark 14:24). We know that in Isaiah the
suffering Servant "bore the sin of many and made intercession for the
transgressors." And in first Timothy the Savior is said to be a ransom for ALL, the
only mediator between God and humankind. What a comfort to know that Jesus came to save
us, the Gentiles, as well as God’s chosen people Israel!
James and John wanted to be with this Jesus always, one on either side of him in
heaven. And who wouldn’t wish for this? But Jesus teaches all the disciples that
greatness does not come from being exalted, but from serving others ("you must be a
slave of all"). While the world rewards those who seek power and recognition, Jesus
turns such conventional wisdom upside down. In the parable of the wedding feast, those who
sit at the head table exalting themselves, will be humbled, but those who choose a lesser
place will be "promoted."
How do we do this? By using our spiritual gifts for the building up of the kingdom of
God and of his people — all people. Not because we must serve in order to be
"ransomed," but out of gratitude to God for his love shown through his
Son’s sacrifice. |
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you that our
salvation does not depend on our sacrifices or our good works. Move us to acts of serving
out of love for you and yours. Amen. |
| March 24, 1999 |
I Corinthians 13:8-10 |
Love Never Ends |
| "Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, but
they are temporary; there is knowledge, but it will pass. For our gifts of knowledge and
of inspired messages are only partial, but when what is perfect comes, then what is
partial will disappear." My grandma died when she was 93 years old. For three or
four years before she died, she would say to me, "I don't know what good I am. I
can't do much. I'm ready to die." Grandma thought that she was no longer of any use
because she could not easily get to church or to the store or to social gatherings.
Grandma was wrong.
Grandma died over three years ago. I miss her before 7:00 a.m. phone calls, her
birthday calls, complete with singing, and just talking to her. But the one thing I miss
the most is knowing that Grandma is sitting in her rocking chair, Bible on her lap,
praying for me each day.
After 90 years, Grandma felt useless and wanted to rest in the arms of Jesus. In her
own tiredness she did not know how important her spiritual gift of faith was to those
around her. Her belief in a loving God who heard her prayers became an example to at least
one of her grandchildren. In her love for us she lifted us up each day to our heavenly
Parent.
The apostle Paul tells us in "the love chapter" (I Corinthians 13) that
spiritual gifts will end and will not be of relevance when Jesus returns. Paul begins that
section with the words of hope that love never ends. Just as my Grandma's love for me
never ended, I am assured of Jesus' love for all of us. Jesus will return someday. At that
time we will see him face to face and will no longer need to use our God-given gifts. But
until that time, whether we are 90 or 9, we can use our gifts to build up our brothers and
sisters in Christ. |
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gifts
which you give each of us. Help us to use those gifts until Jesus comes again to bring us
safely home to him. |
| March 25, 1999 |
John 3:16 |
Extend Faith Into Service |
| "For God so loved the world that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting
life." Today's Bible scripture was one of my early childhood Sunday School memory
verses -- one that I have never forgotten.
Mrs. Bang, my kind and dedicated Sunday School teacher explained to her class of small,
listening ears that this was God's great gift to all who had faith in Jesus Christ. God's
love, she said, is pure and limitless in whatever form it takes, and is available to the
entire world.
Mrs. Bang had a great gift in making the Bible real to her little charges. When she
explained that "God is Love," we felt secure, somehow understanding that
spiritual love was based on compassion and truth. Whatever problems we faced in life, past
hurts were eased and happiness returned.
Like Mrs. Bang, perhaps I also have a spiritual gift of love to offer! Could it be
service in some form to make life easier for someone with physical, mental, emotional,
financial or spiritual needs? Or might I extend joy and harmony in life by making Christ
known, through friendship and church-related activities or community outreach efforts?
Today's Bible reading tells us that faith in God through Jesus Christ is necessary for
eternal life. But I believe, too, that sharing a gift of compassion and service to others
is a wonderful extension of this faith. |
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your
unlimited love in giving your only Son as our Saviour. As we grow in faith, please show us
the ways in which we may share our own gifts of love and compassion for others. Amen. |
| March 26, 1999 |
I Corinthians 14:1,3 |
Construction Paper Counts |
| "It is love, then, that you should strive for. Set
your hearts on spiritual gifts, especially the gift of proclaiming God's message ... the
one who proclaims God's message speaks to people and gives them help, encouragement, and
comfort." I have a history of mediocrity. In high school I got good grades, but
not as good as some. I had a large circle of friends, but I did not count any of the
popular kids, the cheerleaders, or jocks amongst my closest friends. I wasn't particularly
athletic, I played on the school tennis team, but fell short of getting the points I
needed to get a letter sweater. I never lead a cheer or shook a pom-pom. I didn't know how
to play an instrument or never participated in a drama production.
I moved on to college where I struggled to maintain passing grades while working full
time. But something began to happen to me during those college years. I fell in love with
a dashing dark haired young man, and in my efforts to impress him, I began running. I
shocked myself when I found that I could easily run five miles. As I completed college, I
found I had a new confidence in myself. I began to notice that I did, in fact, have some
gifts.
Today, I know that I do have some gifts (yes, I'm the lady who can cut anything out of
construction paper, the craft lady, and someone who loves being with people, especially
kids). They are not gifts that I will be famous for, but they are gifts that allow me to
share my love of God and faith with others. They are gifts that could seem insignificant,
but I am learning that no gift is insignificant. |
Prayer: Gracious God, help me to
recognize the gifts you have given me, and help me to share those gifts with others. Amen |
| March 27, 1999 |
Matthew 28: 19-20 |
Go, Then |
| "Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them
my disciples: Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and
teach them to obey everything I have commanded you." That spring break trip I took
as a junior in high school was special. I knew it was special at the time – but I
didn’t fully understand why. You see, I had reached a point in my life where I felt
that I knew myself and the world around me. I didn’t know what an eye opener that ten
day trip would be. The Dean of Students, a Jesuit priest, had invited two fellow
classmates and me to accompany him to Honduras for a missionary study. The purpose of our
trip was to better understand the mission of the Jesuits in Central America, gather
information, and to communicate this experience to our classmates,
The much-anticipated trip seemed to go by like a whirlwind, and the evening I returned
home, I was emotionally drained. I had witnessed terrible suffering and poverty. Honduras
has living conditions that we cannot begin to dream of. How can people live in such a
place? I realized there were two reasons. First, most Hondurans have not experienced the
life that we enjoy. The second and more profound reason why people are able to live in
such poverty, is their faith in Jesus. The Honduran culture is deeply entrenched in the
teachings of Jesus. Towns were built around a church. Community events were church
centered. In everything people did, Jesus and his teachings were of utmost importance.
This was evident throughout my journey.
I took many rolls of film and documented each day’s events in a journal. After I
returned home, my traveling classmates and I prepared a school-wide presentation. While I
still could not comprehend how I would explain my experience, I knew I had to have faith
in Jesus.
Our presentation generated a wonderful response. Since then, the Honduran spring break
trip has been an annual occurrence at my high school. I often wonder why I was picked to
go to Honduras. While I still do not fully understand, I suspect the reason was because
someone recognized a gift God had given to me. That gift is the ability to gather
challenging or complex information and present it in a clear and meaningful way. This is a
gift that I actively use in my daily life at work, but I do not always think to use it to
spread God’s Word. I wonder what other spiritual gifts God has given me that I have
yet to discover? |
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help us to
actively look to discover your gifts to us. Let us use these gifts to spread your
teachings. Amen. |
| March 28, 1999 |
Matthew 5: 14-16 |
This Little Light Of Mine |
| "You are like a light for the whole world. No one
lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead he puts it on the lampstand, where it
gives light for everyone in the house." "You can’t be a beacon if your
light don’t shine." "This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it
shine." "They’ll know we are Christians by our Love."
Oh how music speaks to us! May our actions be a direct indication or illumination of
our Father. I’m reminded of another song, "May the Christ in Me Greet the Christ
in You."
One morning last spring I was driving over to the West Side of town in search of a
meeting at a Rehab Hospital. I started out with sufficient time, but to my dismay the
streets were not laid out like a graph, so that I would easily drive in front of this
facility as I drove down the main street. Instead, the streets seemed to have no pattern,
and I drove aimlessly trying to find the way. After I passed the same Quik Trip three
times, I decided to go in and ask for directions. The courteous clerk explained verbally
how to get to my destination and accommodated me when I asked him to write them down for
me.
His clear, concise directions got me to the Rehab Hospital with ease.
After this ordeal I thought, wouldn’t it be nice if our church, and we as
Christians, were like that Quik Trip: a beacon providing directions and guidance to the
correct path to take toward a life with our Father. |
Prayer: Please allow me to be a
beacon as a Christian, and provide a clear light of how to live life in the way you
desire. Let me direct others, through my words and actions, a path toward life with you as
a Christian. |
| March 29, 1999 |
John 15: 13-14 |
Who Comes First? |
| "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay
down one's life for his friends." One of the most precious days in the memories of
my husband and I is the day that our daughter was born. Since then, we have come to more
fully appreciate that children are a gift from God. We have also come to understand that
bringing up children takes a lot of time!
The passage for today talks about how God wants us to define friendship. It talks about
laying down our lives for our friends. No matter what spiritual gifts we have been given,
we are called to take time to help our friends.
Sometimes this gift of time seems like more than I can give. Then I have to think hard
about the urgency of helping a friend as opposed to the importance of what I had planned
to do otherwise. Many things in our lives can take time, such as jobs, children, school,
and fulfilling dreams. Through this Bible passage, I feel that God tells us how to
prioritize the many things we have to do. We are to put God and others first.
In my life, I have been the most fulfilled and happy when I have followed this command.
My most rewarding relationships are those into which I have put the most energy. I guess
Father does know best! |
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, please
help us to lay down our lives for our friends as you command. It is not always easy for us
to put others ahead of our own seemingly urgent wishes. In Christ’s name, Amen. |
| March 30, 1999 |
Romans 12:1 |
A Life Of Faith Every Day |
| "So then...because of God's great mercy to us, I
appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and
pleasing to him." Paul is asking us to recognize the mercy that God has granted
and to receive this mercy by becoming living sacrifices, by "offering our bodies as
living sacrifices." His guideline for us is not literal, but is spiritual and
physical as our bodies and minds are our vehicles to be Christ’s body as his church.
To live our faith each day is Paul’s challenge to us.
For many of us, our days are filled with earning a living and working to support our
families and lives. Paul’s lesson can seem removed from this daily responsibility,
but it is this very point that each of us needs to recognize, that work and offering
ourselves as Christ’s body are not two separate things. Each day there are many
opportunities at our workplace to do the work of the church. How we act provides an
example of Christian living. Listening, teaching, and guiding our co-workers not only
helps them, but helps ourselves as well. This creates a common objective to address all
the transgressions of life that exist in the workplace. Praying for our associates’
needs and being available to provide assistance is an important gift. We should take the
chance to share God’s word In these relationships and to reach out to those who are
unchurched. Opportunities to share our spiritual gifts to the people and community around
us occur every day, if only we listen and see as Christ wishes we would. |
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your
grace and the unique gifts that you have given each of us. May we grow in faith through
the power of the Holy Spirit and recognize the daily opportunities to be your church in
the ways that we listen and see, such that our gifts from you are not wasted day by day.
Help us to make small contributions day by day that build large differences in others and
ourselves. In Christ’s name, Amen. |
| March 31, 1999 |
John 9:4 |
Where Is God's
"Treasure" |
| "I must work the works of him who sent me while it
is day; the night is coming when no one can work." My first year on church
council, we endured too many unpleasant sessions between the treasurer, who was a
soft-spoken, elderly gentleman, and several overly demanding bureaucrats. Important
business was put on hold while he was grilled extensively in a quest to find the few
pennies when the books were out of balance. When the term was up, neither he, nor anyone
else wanted to be treasurer. To further complicate matters, it had been decided that the
church books would be computerized.
I knew little about computers and nothing about accounting. Why the Lord called me to
volunteer to be treasurer, and even re-up, I do not know. I received a lot of help; but my
accomplishments were unremarkable.
After hearing about my job a few times, our youngest son finally asked me how it was
that I was the church’s "treasure." [big laugh] On further reflection, I
suppose God’s treasure includes those who heed his call, however unequipped, and
attempt his mission, though it is outside the ‘comfort zone’ and even when the
results are less than spectacular. |
Prayer: Heavenly Father. Open us to
your call, teach us to trust your direction, and give us the strength to attempt projects
for which we have no obvious talent. Amen. |
| April 1, 1999 |
Matthew 23:37 |
Abba, Father |
| "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and
stone the messengers God has sent you! How many times I wanted to put my arms around all
your people, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let
me!" I can still remember the first time I took Emily to the doctor for her
vaccinations. As they administered the shots, she looked up at me with a face that said,
"Daddy, why are you letting this happen to me, make her stop." But I knew that
the little pain she was suffering would prevent much worse pain later. So I held back the
tears, and when it was done, I hugged her and reassured her until she smiled at me.
I want to always protect my children from harm but bad things will always happen. It's
a part of life and of learning. A parent learns that they can't always stop a child even
when there is the possibility of a scrapped knee or a bruised ego. They have to sometime
experience things to learn.
Jesus tries to teach us that God is a good parent, and because he is a good parent, he
sometimes lets us stumble and fall. Then he picks us up and puts a Pooh Band-Aid on our
often invisible scratch and sends us on our way. And like a good parent, mistakes are soon
forgotten and the child is one again the apple of the parent's eye.
In today's reading, Jesus tells the crowds how, throughout history, God's own people
ignored and killed the prophets he sent. Yet each time he came to their aid and freed them
from bondage. Jesus further reminds us that God is such a good parent that he, like a hen
to her chicks, will cover us and protect us from all harm.
I guess there is a reason we call him Father. |
Prayer: Father, so often we act like
children. We want some one else's toys and don't want to share our own. We try to deceive
you to hide our errors. And we think we can do it on our own and we fall. Help us to grow
in your ways. Let us share what you have given us. Show us that truth is a better way. And
may we take your hand that it may guide us over the bumps in life. Amen. |
| April 2, 1999 |
Romans 5: 6-8 |
A Good Friday, Indeed |
| "It is a difficult thing for someone to die for a
righteous person. It may even be that someone might dare to die for a good person. But God
has shown us how much he loves us -- it was while we were still sinners that Christ died
for us!" Speaking to the nation following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,
President Franklin D. Roosevelt called the event - "a day of infamy." Today,
Good Friday, the day of our Lord's crucifixion, is the ultimate day of infamy. And yet,
that which took place on that day rises above a day of infamy to become a day full of
grace. (Read Romans 5:6-8)
St. Paul, writing to the congregation of Christians in Rome, first sees through human
eyes. He says "Scarcely would one die for a righteous person." Now a
"righteous person" was considered to be one who would do what was right and
rightly demanded of him. Then Paul suggests "Perhaps for a good person one might have
the courage to die." A "good person" was considered to be one who would go
beyond the requirements for righteousness. Such would, in other words, go the second mile.
Do you get the picture? From a human point of view, dying for another is an awesome
challenge. In fact, for a "righteous person," one would not even consider it,
and for a "good person," one might have the courage to die, but never would it
be a certainty that one would do so.
Now St. Paul points to the total contrast - "While we were still sinners Christ
died for us." Catch the whole picture that St. Paul paints. "While we were still
weak" - the word "weak" rightly translates as one who is spiritually lost.
The next phrase makes this clear when Paul speaks of the "weak" as "the
ungodly." There you have it. While we were yet lost in our sinfulness, Christ died,
not just for one of us, but for ALL of us and without exception. Now that is grace. At the
cross God commended his love to us through the death of his Son. It was a vicarious death.
It was on behalf of all of us. And as the next verse that follows our text declares, we
are thus justified by the blood of Christ and saved from the wrath of God that is sure to
come.
Good Friday! Indeed it is, for it indeed is God's Friday. O the wonder of God's love! |
Prayer: Though undeserved, for your
grace in Christ Jesus our Lord, heavenly Father we give you thanks. Amen |
| April 3, 1999 |
Romans 14:8 |
The People In Between |
| "If we live, it is for the Lord that we live, and
if we die, it is for the Lord that we die. So whether we live or die, we belong to the
Lord." This Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is called Holy
Saturday. In many ways it is a day that doesn’t seem to be very holy. Eggs have to be
colored, Easter outfits need to be purchased or picked up from the cleaners, the church
sanctuary needs to be decorated for Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. It is a day which is
in between. By that I mean to say, it doesn’t have the solitude and solemnity of Good
Friday, nor does it have the glory and joy of Easter Sunday. It is a day in the gap. It is
something we go through in order to get to Easter.
Those comforting words of St. Paul’s "we are the Lord’s" are often
read at the graveside funeral service. Families gather together, tears are shed, cemetery
personnel wait for the process to be over, so that the casket can be lowered into the
earth. The pastor reads these words knowing full well that this is another example of
being "in between." We are in between the time of grief and sadness and the hope
and reality of new life in Jesus Christ.
And that’s what makes this Saturday holy, and every other day holy as well. The
hope and comfort of new life in Jesus Christ. "For if we have been united with him in
a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." |
Prayer: Gracious God, we stand in the
shadow of the cross, in this time and space in between, and we thank you for the
Christ’s death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead. Be with all people
who are grieving and help them to have hope. Amen. |
| April 4, 1999 |
II Corinthians 5: 17-18, 20 |
A New Creation |
| "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. Now then, we are
ambassadors for Christ." Today is Easter and Christ
makes all things new!
As I write these words in January, however, I look out my window and
the world does not look new. The grass is brown; there are no leaves on trees; on this day
clouds and rain make things dreary. Throughout the year there are those times and that
side of life where the world is anything but new. The world, and I in it, acts as old as
sin itself. It is a broken world, hurting, warring, hungering, rebelling, exploiting. All
things new?
Christ makes all things new! Everything is made new because Christ
Jesus came into the old, shouldering the weight of sin, bearing the burden of our
brokenness, dying away a condemnation meant for us. "For our sake God made him to be
sin who knew no sin ... (2 Corinthians 5:21)." In Holy Week we walk the way of
Christ’s suffering. Now is Christ risen! He has burst the three-day prison! Christ
makes all things new!
The world still looks mighty old and wearied at times. Eyes of
faith, however, now see all things new. In Christ the great reversal of the world has
begun, all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding. Say with me: "my heart is new,
clean, bright and whole. My soul is fresh, radiant, and spirit-filled. I am a new
creation, a new (your name), and so are all our brothers and sisters in Christ. My sin is
forgiven and my death already conquered. In Christ, I am new creation." |
Prayer: O Risen Christ, help me to
trust that I am your new creation. Send your Spirit to help me live this new life. Amen. |
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