-30-23

My devotion for today is based on the words of Saint Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:26,27 “Think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise and the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
It’s interesting to note that God has completely different ideas than society about wisdom. Knowing that Jesus Christ came to this earth to be our Savior makes us wise beyond all measure. Jesus did what we could not do when he followed his Father’s will to the letter. Jesus also suffered and died on the cross to pay for our sins so we wouldn’t have to. When Jesus rose from the dead, he announced to the world that he had completed everything necessary for our salvation.
Many will not agree with this standard of wisdom. We thank God that he has revealed these standards to us.
Please pray with me: Thank you, Lord, for using your wisdom and power to bring about my salvation. Please help me to remember that true wisdom is knowing who you are and what you have done for me. In Jesus’ blessed name, I pray. Amen

​1-29-23
Turning from darkness to light
My devotion for today is based on Matthew 4:17, "From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
The darkness and evil in our world are overwhelming. Where can we start to bring light to the darkness? When Jesus began his public ministry, he told us where to start. He said first repent, which means acknowledging and turning away from the darkness in our hearts. All that wickedness in the world is also in us. So any real change must begin with a change in our hearts.
Then he tells us that the kingdom of heaven is near. In Jesus, God's good and gracious rule dwells among us. King Jesus governs his people with forgiveness and love. We know that because he laid down his life for us. And so, we now lay down our lives for others.
From this place of humble gratitude, we can now make a difference in our small corner of Christ's kingdom. Maybe we take care of the sick or teach children. Perhaps we run for office or a business in service to our community. Whatever we do to make this world better, we must start by letting God's light shine in us before we can illuminate others.
Please pray with me, Jesus; you are the world's light. Shine your light into the darkness and evil of my heart. Then help me to be your light in the world. Let me use the gifts and opportunities you have given me for your glory. Amen.

1-28-23

My devotion for today is based on Psalm 22:2, “O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.”

Godless people are not saying these words. They come from people who believe in God, desire to walk with God, and need God’s help. God is silent and they don’t understand why he is. It is not easy to live in this world where many unexplainable events happen, events that his hard. In those times, we need to understand that we can feel as the writer of this psalm did abandoned by God. We, too cry out to God, ‘Where are you, God? I need you to help me now.’ But he is silent, is at least he seems to be. 

The answer to our questions about God’s silence is found in Jesus, for he is the answer to our cries to God. He lived the life we are living. He knows pain and sorrow. He felt death. He rose from the dead. Since we are untied to him in our baptism, we can be assured that God is with us, even when he does not seem to be here.

So, while we cannot escape the ills of this world, for we are sinful people living in a sinful world where bad stuff happens. In spite of this, we can say with the apostle, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us.”
​
Please pray with me; Lord, you know how I am afraid of suffering. You know how much I want to escape the ills of this life. You know that I want to live in peace, even though my actions too many times cause discord. Please forgive me and help me do better, especially in times of doubt. In Jesus’ blessed name, I pray. Amen. 

​1-27-23

My devotion for today is based on 1 John 2:5-7, "This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the Light, as he is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."

In the reading above, John explains what Jesus meant. Jesus is the Light of the world because he perfectly lived God's command, "Love your neighbor as yourself." He loved his neighbor so much that he gave up his life to pay for their sins, including yours and mine. This act of love brought Light into our dark world.

He says if we claim to be in Jesus' Light but don't love our brother or sister, then we are mistaken. On the other hand, when we love our brother or sister, we show Jesus genuinely enlightens us. In other words, to be in the Light as Jesus is in the Light means, we live a life of love. Or, as John puts it, "We love because (Jesus) first loved us."
​
Please pray with me: Jesus, you are the world's Light. Please help me to let your Light of love shine in my heart. Amen.

1-26-23

My devotion for today is based on Matthew 4:18-20, “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once, they left their nets and followed him.”
I find it interesting that Jesus, instead of going to the temple to find religious professionals, Jesus went to day laborers, fishing by the sea of Galilee. He said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people,” meaning he would use them to rescue people from sin and death by preaching the good news about what he had done to save them.
And that’s precisely what happened. After Jesus died on the cross and rose again, he sent out his disciples to proclaim the good news. People worldwide believed this message, continuing to pass on this good news until it even reached our hearts.
Now it is our turn to continue proclaiming this good news. Wherever we go, God’s light shines as we communicate God’s love in words and actions and tell those around us about our Savior, Jesus.
Please pray with me; Lord God, thank you for calling me to participate in your mission. Please fill me with the joy of your light and lead me to spread that light wherever I go. Amen.
 

1-25-23
How to find your purpose
My devotion for today is based on Isaiah 55:11, where we read a promise from God. “[My word] will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
 
Having purpose in our lives is critical for our well-being and sense of fulfillment. Without it, our actions can be just one thing after another, trying to fill a need or ‘be happy’ in that moment. Conversely, when we have a God-given purpose, we live in his peace, grow through our successes and failures, and enjoy a deep sense of peace.
 
Purpose starts and ends with God’s word. I live out his purpose by using his gifts in the places he calls me. I let the results look after themselves. God’s ‘results’ are always richer than anything I could have imagined, so I live in blessing and peace, confident that God’s word will accomplish his purpose through me.
Please pray with me, Lord God, settle my anxiety, and show me your purpose, for when I know your purpose for me, I no longer have to search for my purpose in life. Enlighten me with your gifts and allow me to serve you. May your peace always be in my heart. Amen.
​

​1-24-23
My devotion for today is based on the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 9:2, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned.”
Twenty-seven hundred years ago, in the days of Isaiah the prophet, Israel had lost all hope. The ruthless Assyrian Empire swallowed up the Northern Israelites. And the Babylonians were crouching, ready to pounce on what remained of God’s people. Eventually, these two enemies decimated the nation of Israel.
 
When Jesus arrived hundreds of years after this prophecy, he declared he was the light Isaiah predicted. Yet, instead of just conquering their earthly enemies, Jesus had a bigger goal. He came to conquer sin and death and rule their hearts with his peace. And so, hanging on a cross, he absorbed the darkness of the world into himself until it killed him, and then he rose again as the light of life.
 
Don’t let the daily news distort your faith in the promises of God. The glory of God has brightened your dark heart. And soon, Jesus will bring our story to a happy ending.
 
Please pray with me, Lord God; darkness covers this world and casts a shadow on my heart. Thank you for your light in my life. Please help me to reflect that light to all I come into contact with today. In your blessed name, I pray. Amen.

​1-23-23
Faith accomplishes great things
My devotion for today is based on a wonderful account of Jesus healing a woman with a bleeding problem no one could cure. I want to focus on Mark 5:2728, "She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I will be made well."
 
This account of Jesus healing the woman is a splendid example of the power of faith. Her faith made her well, for we hear Jesus tell her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease." If you remember this account of healing, she had already been healed. Jesus is confirming the healing. 
 
Her faith was the same type shown by the criminal crucified next to Jesus, the leper, and the centurion. Their faith was not based on knowing that Jesus, being God had to help, but in the hope that he would have mercy on them. Let us have the same faith when we pray to God, "Lord have mercy on me." 
 
Please pray with me; Lord, you know my deepest problems, the problems that torment me. You are the only one who can give me the relief I desperately need. Please help me to trust in you alone. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

​1-22-23
Jesus heals
My devotion for today is based on Matthew 4:23, “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”
When Jesus began his ministry, healing was an integral part of the message. Time and again, we see Jesus proclaiming that the kingdom of God has arrived, in his very person, that those who hear the news are called to repentance, and almost always, there is miraculous healing. This is the loving nature of our God. He calls us away from those things that lead away from life and calls us to the ultimate source of life. Jesus’ ministry was all about bringing life and tending to the wounds of a broken world. He asks us to follow him as members of his kingdom.
I know that Jesus’ nature doesn’t change. Where there is a simple and clear proclamation of the kingdom of God and repentance, there is also healing. There must be. Whether it is the healing received as we take the body and blood of Christ in communion or the healing received when we lay hands on the sick and pray, the gospel heals. Sometimes we witness an obvious miracle. Sometimes the healing is not obvious. Whatever it is, it is always in our best interest, even if it does not seem to be.
Please pray with me; Lord Jesus, teach us to trust your healing grace. In your wonderful name, I pray. Amen.