Devotion for Thursday, March 31

Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing!

Christ is alive let Christians sing
The cross stands empty to the sky
Let streets and homes with praises ring
Love drowned in death Shall never die


Christ is alive, No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine
But saving healing here and now
And touching ev'ry place and time

Not throned afar remotely high
Untouched unmoved by human pains
But daily in the midst of life
Our Savior in the Godhead reigns

In ev'ry insult rift and war
Where color scorn or wealth divide
Christ suffers still yet loves the more
And lives where even hope has died


Christ is alive and comes to bring
Good news to this and every age
Till earth and sky and ocean ring with joy
With justice love and praise

• Brian Arthur Wren | T. Williams

Devotion for Wednesday, March 30

Thine is the Glory

Thine is the glory risen conquering Son
Endless is the victoryThou o'er death hast won

Angels in bright raiment
Rolled the stone away
Kept the folded grave clothes
Where Thy Body lay


Thine is the glory
risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory
Thou o'er death hast won

Lo Jesus meets thee
Risen from the tomb
Lovingly He greets thee
Scatters fear and gloom
Let the church with gladness
Hymns of triumph sing
For the Lord now liveth
Death hath lost its sting

Thine is the glory 
risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory
Thou o'er death hast won

No more we doubt thee,

glorious Prince of Life;

life is naught without thee; 

aid us in our strife;

make us more than conquerors,

through thy deathless love;

bring us safe through Jordan

to they home above.

Thine is the glory
risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory
Thou o'er death hast won

• Edmond Louis Budry | George Frideric Handel | Hal H. Hopson | Richard Birch Hoyle

Devotion for Tuesday, March 29

Jesus Christ is Risen Today

Jesus Christ is ris'n today Alleluia

Our triumphant holy day Alleluia

Who did once upon the cross Alleluia

Suffer to redeem our loss Alleluia

But the pains which He endured Alleluia

Our salvation have procured Alleluia

Now above the sky He's King Alleluia

Where the angels ever sing Alleluia

Sing we to our God above Alleluia

Praise eternal as love Alleluia

Praise Him all you heav'nly host Alleluia

 Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost Alleluia

Hymns of praise then let us sing Alleluia

Unto Christ our heavenly King Alleluia

Who endured the cross and the grave Alleluia 

Sinners to redeem and save Alleluia

• Cathy Moklebust | Charles Wesley | David Moklebust

Devotion for Easter Monday, March 28

During Easter Week, I will be offering different Easter Hymns as our devotion for the day.  These are favorite hymns and their words speak to our lives of faith.  Enjoy!

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

Christ is risen Alleluia

Risen our victorious head

Sing His praises Alleluia

Christ is risen from the dead

Gratefully our hearts adore Him

As His light once more appears

Bowing down in joy before Him

Rising up from grief and tears

Christ is risen, all the sorrow 

that last evening round Him lay

Now has found a glorious morrow

In the rising of today

See the grave its firstfruits giving

Springing up from holy ground

He was dead but now is living

He was lost but now is found

Christ is risen alleluia

All the sadness now is o'er

Through the open gates of gladness

He returns to life once more

Death and hell before Him bending

See Him rise the Victor now

Angels on His steps attending 
glory round His wounded brow

Christ is risen Alleluia

Risen our victorious head

Sing His praises Alleluia

Christ is risen from the dead

• John Purifoy | John Samuel Bewley Monsell

Devotion for Friday, March 25

The seven last words of Jesus on the Cross.  

Read and pray on them as our devotion today!

Join us at 12:00pm or 7:00pm for Good Friday worship!

Devotion for Thursday, March 24

While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” (Mark 14: 22-25)

Traditional known as "Maundy Thursday", this is the day that Jesus washes his disciples feet, institutes Holy Communion at his last supper, prays in Gethsemane, and is arrested and brought before the Jewish council of leaders.  His passion begins on this day.  

The word "maundy" comes from the Latin word "mandatum" which means "command." Today, Jesus commands us to show humility (i.e. washing each other's feet) and to "remember" him through the sharing of a sacred meal that equates Jesus' act of sacrifice to that of the Passover Lamb.  

Just at the blood of the lamb saved the Hebrew people from death and slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12), Jesus claims this same reality for himself.  He will be the lamb of God who saves ALL people from the power of death and our slavery to sin.  

As Lutherans, we believe that the bread and wine we use each week is the "real presence" of Jesus in a mystical, holy way.  While the elements remain intrinsically bread and wine, we have an unabashed confidence in the word and that Jesus means it when he says "this is my body ... this is my blood."  

Therefore, the real presence of Jesus becomes spiritual nourishment that sustains us in our discipleship and in our commitment to follow Jesus' model of humility and service.  

Join us tonight at 7:00pm for Maundy Thursday Worship where we will wash each other's feet, and share in the Holy Supper.   

Devotion for Wednesday, March 23

The Anointing at Bethany

 While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head.But some were there who said to one another in anger, ‘Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.’ And they scolded her. But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’ (Mark 14: 3-9)

Several weeks ago - March 13 - we had this reading on Sunday. You can see the sermon I preached here.  

The sermon hymn was the song Hold Me Now.  Here are the words for your devotion today.  

From glass alabaster she poured out
The depths of her soul
Oh, foot of Christ would You wait
If her harlotry's known?

Falls a tear to darken the dirt
Of humblest offerings to forgive the hurt
She is strong enough to stand in your love
I can hear her say

I am weak, I am poor
I'm broken Lord, but I'm Yours
Hold me now, hold me now

Let he without sin
Cast the first stone if you will
To say that my bride isn't worth
Half the blood that I've spilled

Point your finger and laugh if you choose to say
My beloved is borrowed and used
She is strong enough to stand in my love
I can hear her say

I am weak, I am poor
I'm broken Lord, but I'm Yours
Hold me now, hold me now

KNAPP, JENNIFER LYNN

Devotion for Tuesday, March 22 (Tuesday of Holy Week)

"Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" Jesus said to them, "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's and to God the things that are God's." (Mark 12: 14, 17)

According to Mark, Jesus was very busy on Tuesday.  The account of his day begins with Mark 11:20 and continues through Mark 13.  Over two chapters of activity.  Among the many events of that day, Jesus has an encounter with some Pharisees and Herodians who seek to trip Jesus up with a question about taxes.  

Now, to say that one should not pay taxes would have made Jesus a challenge to the Roman state.  It would have been insurrection.  However, to say that one should pay taxes was to incite the frustration of the Jews who were an occupied people.  It would have been akin to being a traitor to your people.

Jesus, however, does not take the bait.  He asks for a coin to be brought to him and he asks, "Whose head is this, and whose title?"  They answer, "The emperor's". 

And so Jesus then says, masterfully, to give to the Emperor what is the emperor's and to God the things that are God's.  Why is this such a masterful stroke?

Because by putting it this way, Jesus, in a subversive way, makes the point that EVERYTHING belongs to God.  He sounds like he is being fair and balanced when in reality he is calling them to account for even considering that what we have could be anything but God's property and gift.  He is not necessarily saying not to pay taxes.  Do what you need to do he says.  But remember, everything is God's, nothing is ours and certainly not the Emperor's.  

May we live with the same kind of commitment and realization that all we have is a gift from God.

Generous God, thank you for blessing us with the gifts of life.  Amen.  

Devotion for Monday, March 21 (Monday of Holy Week)

On the following day ... they came to Jerusalem.  And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers, and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple.  He was teaching and saying, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations?' But you have made it a den of robbers."  And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. And when evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. (Mark 11:12, 15-19)

Our devotions this week will focus on the week of Jesus' passion.  Each day we will hear what Jesus was doing on that particular day during that passion week.

On Monday, according to the Gospel of Mark (Mark 11:12-19), Jesus left Bethany, where he was staying after his triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and reentered Jerusalem, on his way to the temple. There, he overturned tables and caused a significant disturbance to the ritual and financial expectations that had grown up around the sacrificial system of the Temple.  This act of Jesus, as much as any particular act in his ministry, put his life in danger.  Not only was he messing with the religious tenets of the faith, but the financial realities as well.

The thing is ... the ritual buying and selling of animals was actually quite religiously important at the time.  People could not offer animals as sacrifices that were "blemished".  If you were traveling from a town far from Jerusalem, it would have been difficult to keep your animal from becoming blemished.  So, the temple offered the opportunity for you to buy them when you arrived, allowing you to sacrifice a unblemished animal, according the tenets of the law.

Trouble was ... people overcharged and used this good idea as a way to enrich themselves and the religious leadership.  Jesus calls them to account.  He challenges the sacrificial system and the financial shenanigans that happened as part of it.

Jesus often cuts to the core.  He challenges us in our religiosity, is not afraid to attack our well-meaning when it misses the point.  This is tough to hear and tough to experience.

Where is Jesus turning over tables in your life?

Passionate Lord, overturn the places in my life where I am following my own selfish wants. Amen.

Devotion for Friday, March 18

"You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.  For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 42-45)

In his 1520 treatise, Freedom of a Christian, Martin Luther writes,

  A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.

  A Christian is a dutiful servant of all, subject to all.

Seems contradictory huh?  In reality, it is at the heart of our Christian understanding of discipleship and faithfulness.  Jesus says today that the model of life in the Kingdom of God is different from the kingdoms of the world, where power, prestige, and domination rule.  Instead, we are called to an alternative reality, one that is as counter-cultural as it gets.

We are set free to be servants!  We are unequivocally unbound by the chains of the world so that we can chain ourselves to the needs, cares, struggles, and pains of those around us, especially those marginalized and forgotten by our world.  Jesus says that true greatness is experienced in being "weak" by the worlds standards!  And he has a cross, a symbol of death, failure, and suffering to back up this call.

Indeed, whenever Christianity gets a taste of power, prestige and rule, we often fail miserably at it. We simply couch our lust for control and domination in some niceties about Jesus and believe we are justified.  Well, not so fast my friends!

I believe that we Christians are at our best, our greatest when we are weak, struggling, and uncertainty.  Why?  Because it is only when all the other securities and powers that we sinfully cling to have abandoned us that we remember and embrace that which is our truest source of power -- the generous, gracious love of Christ Jesus, the one who served the world he loves so much and calls us to do the same!

Liberating God, you have made us free. May we use our freedom to bring liberating freedom to those who are weak, poor, and broken. Amen. 

Devotion for Thursday, March 17

"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."  When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. (Mark 10: 17, 21-22) 

During Lent, we've been focusing on the theme, "We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us."  This is part of our "40 Days of Giving" emphasis (2016 is the Year of Giving).

Giving entails so much more than our financial offerings.  Giving involves our time, our talent, and our treasure.  And at the heart of all of this is a seemingly impossible call.

A pastor friend of mine once preached for me on a Stewardship Sunday at the congregation I served in Cincinnati.  I will never forget him saying in his sermon that God does not call for 10% of our hearts, 10% of our lives, or even 10% of our treasure.  In fact, God wants 100%!

Jesus makes the same call today in the story with the man who tradition calls "the rich young ruler." Now, be sure, this is not about everyone giving all their money away, becoming paupers, and then working for free. The Bible is clear that poverty is something we should help people avoid through our generosity.  Being poor, except for specific cases of those called to live in poverty as part of a vocation, is something Christians are called to work toward eliminating.  So, then, what could giving 100% to God -- even our money -- possibly mean?

Living our lives, all aspects of our lives, in God-pleasing ways is what matters to Jesus.  Do we acquire our money, regard our money, manage our money, and spend our money in God pleasing ways?  Perhaps the rich young ruler had accumulated his money in ways not pleasing to God? Perhaps he regarded his wealth as his own, not giving God credit for his blessings? Perhaps he managed and spent his money in ways that were contradictory to his self-professed faithfulness (vs. 18-20)?

Jesus was inviting the rich, young ruler into a new relationship with God.  However, for him, his wealth was a stumbling block to such new relationship.  The question for us this day is what would Jesus say is getting in the way of us giving 100% of ourselves, our lives to God?

Perhaps its our wealth. Perhaps our status. Perhaps our position or profession.  Perhaps its addiction. Perhaps its something as beautiful as our family, spouse, or children.  Whatever it is, Jesus asks us to replace it with a deeper relationship with God.

This is difficult, no doubt, as evidenced by the rich, young ruler going away grieving.  But, Jesus also tells us, such commitment and discipleship will be blessed beyond measure and we will find treasure of another kind, treasure through God that will never and can never disappoint.

God of grace, shape my life, my giving, and my heart toward you in all ways.  Amen.

Devotion for Wednesday, March 16

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them.  But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.  Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16)

The word that speaks to me in this reading is indignant. The word means feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment. 

What makes Jesus indignant? In scripture it is usually revolves around issues of justice, barriers to community, and misplaced, misguided religiosity.  These things really make Jesus show his human side!

I find the issue with children to be interesting, especially in light of our modern affection for children. How often do politicians, leaders, families say something along the lines of "its all about the kids." 

In many ways, our day is totally foreign to Jesus' time, when children were truly marginalized.  In our day, in many ways, children occupy a place of prominence in our society.  This is a good thing of course.  We've come a long way.  Still, have we, perhaps, moved too far?

Hear me clearly, I am not advocating a return to where kids are best "seen and not heard" or anything of the like.  But I do wonder if the child-centric focus in many families is for the best?  To be sure, I'll go above and beyond for my kids.  At times, however, that will mean that I must make certain decisions that will challenge their "wants" or even their "hopes."  

One time, I had a pastor friend say to me, "I desire that my children are faithful, not necessarily happy."  I asked him to unpack that a bit and he reflected that as he and his wife sought to raise their children toward faithfulness, i.e. helping them come to Jesus, there were times when this was at odds with what would have made them happy.  And I get this.  

Bringing my children to Jesus is something that I take seriously.  This means that we often make decisions that they don't always enjoy, but have come to expect (i.e. almost daily Faith5, regular worship, giving away some of their birthday money, learning to forgive, support, and love others who hurt them, and making our life of a faith a priority).  This has caused our children some pain at times.

While I desire my children to achieve their goals, pursue their passions, etc. what I desire more is that they will come to fully experience the blessing and goodness of Jesus, who calls them to Him.  This will put us at odds with the culture and will put us at odds with them from time to time.

Bringing children to Jesus is not for the faint of heart.  But since God gave these three beautiful souls to Heidi and me, and because we trust God, we will take up our call as parents with fear and trepidation and not a little prayer.  For in the end, Jesus wants my children with Him.  And that, to Heidi and I, is our main parental responsibility and, to be sure, our greatest blessing!

Loving Lord, help us bring the children to your gracious presence. Amen.  

Devotion for Tuesday, March 15

I lift up my eyes to the hills—

   from where will my help come? 

My help comes from the Lord,

   who made heaven and earth. 

(Psalm 121:1-2)

Since the March madness NCAA basketball tournament is ready to begin this week, I am reminded of a funny story regarding this particular Psalm.

The University of Kentucky had a legendary coach named Adolph Rupp.  He was a giant in college basketball.  His long and distinguished coaching tenure at UK was a main reason that the state has such rabid basketball fans.  Coach Rupp was particularly known for recruiting Kentucky kids to come play for him, as the passion for the sport produced many talented and gifted players.

One time, a reporter asked him about his recruiting philosophy.  Coach Rupp, a religious man who was not adverse to quoting scripture, gave a nod to the local players in the state of Kentucky, in particular those poor kids from the eastern hill country not far from UK, by quoting Psalm 121.

"I lift my eyes to the hills," Coach Rupp said, "from where will my help come?"

Indeed, we all need help!  Whether it is in recruiting and building a basketball team, getting through a difficult day at work, or seeking to be the best parent we can be.  Someone much wiser than I once said that there are, really, only two prayers, "Help me!" and "Thank you!".

In all aspects of life, we are invited to "lift our eyes" to God.  Not only in our moments of desperation and concern, but at all times.  In thanksgiving.  In thoughtfulness. In times of need.

We are invited to do so because, in all circumstances, our "help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."  Truly! The Lord provides strength to us in both the mundane and the major, in both the little and the large, in both the trivial and the tragic.  This is the Lord's promise and what a promise it is!

Lift your eyes to the Lord.  May your gaze toward God be the default for your life. For it is in doing so that the maker of heaven and earth comes near, loving you, guiding you, and helping you live fully and completely.

Lord of all, guide my eyes and ears and mouth and body toward your promise of grace. Amen.

Devotion for Monday, March 14

John said, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us."  Jesus said, "Do not stop him ... Whoever is not against us is for us. (Mark 9: 38-40)

I have always found this to be a particularly poignant and someone funny story.  Can't you just see John running up and tattling to Jesus about this dude who "was not following" the way that John thought he should?

It is sad that we have not really learned a lot from this story.  We still look at our Christian brothers and sisters and say, "Jesus, Jesus stop them because they are not doing it like we are?"  I know I have been guilty of this in my life.  Others have been guilty of it toward me.

Jesus however puts the emphasis on the healing, the serving, the blessing that we do.  This is what matters.  I may not always agree with you, but I can value your purpose and place in the kingdom with me.  Maybe loving our neighbor begins at home, in the family of faith?

Loving Jesus, help me to see others who love you the way you see them. Amen.

   

Devotion for Friday, March 11

Mark 8: 31-36

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?

Jesus asks the disciples, "But who do you say that I am?"  Peter answers, "You are the Messiah."  Yet, as Jesus begins to change the paradigm of what Messiah means, i.e. not a political and military leader but a suffering servant who models love of God and neighbor, Peter confronts Jesus.  

Now, the disciples are often described in less than flattering ways in the Bible.  Still, as I like to say, these are the dudes who churches are named after, so perhaps that should give us some sense of comfort in the midst of our uncertainty and doubts of faith. And Peter's misunderstanding here is one that we often fall into ourselves.  

At the heart of our faith is the great narrative that Jesus brings new life out of death.  The divine promise is that pain, anxiety, and shame do not have the final word in our lives. Instead, these moments in our lives are fertile ground for Jesus to work healing, peace, and new life, to change the paradigm of faith and belief in our lives.  In the life of Jesus this is modeled in his passion -- the crucifixion and the resurrection.  It is, then, the defining characteristic of our faith.

The cross is necessary in our lives, and friends, the cross will come, make no mistake.  Yet, as Jesus carried his cross, he will help us carry our own.  And as he turned the cross from a symbol of struggle and death into a symbol of love and new life, he will do the same with the crosses you bear.

Jesus of the cross and empty tomb, give us strength to bear our crosses in the confidence of your redeeming presence. Amen.

Devotion for Thursday, March 10

Mark 8: 27-30

Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Who do you say that I am? Jesus asks.

C.S. Lewis was an Oxford University medieval literature scholar, popular writer, Christian apologist, and former atheist. In a series of BBC radio talks, later published as the book Mere Christianity, Lewis answered this question, especially for those who saw Jesus as a great moral teacher, but did not believe he was God. 

I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. ... Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend: and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God.

Who do you say I am, Jesus ask you? In your heart? In your life?

Lord Jesus, give me the wisdom and faith to trust you and believe in your promises. Amen.

Devotion for Wednesday, March 9

Readings for the day

   Psalm 101, 109: 1-30; 119: 121-144

   Genesis 50: 15-26

   I Corinthians 12: 1-11

   Mark 8: 11-26

Now there are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit; there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (I Corinthians 12: 4-7)

Spiritual gifts!  Everyone has them.  One of the struggles people often face is determining what they might be in their own lives.  But please, make no mistake, you have been given spiritual gifts.  

God activates them in your life, and here is the thing about this:  they may have nothing to do with what you "do for a living."  They may.  In my case, my spiritual gifts led me into the ministry.  But for most people, your spiritual gifts may be something that you do outside your profession.

Are you interested in learning what yours may be? Check out the link below.  There are 105 questions which took me about 10 minutes to answer.

Spiritual Gifts Inventory

You can sign in as a guest, no need to sign up for anything.  You can have them emailed to you, but you can also simply print them out, which is what I did.  

This may be helpful to you to consider where God is actually working and leading you in your life.

And I would love to hear what you find out!

Guiding Spirit, help us become aware of and make use of our gifts for the kingdom. Amen.

Devotion for Tuesday, March 8

Readings for the day

   Psalm 94, 97, 99

   Genesis 49:29 - 50:14

   I Corinthians 11: 17-34

   Mark 8: 1-10

When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul (Psalm 94:19)

The image above, a heart on fire, is often used to describe someone's passion for the Gospel.  I also can see that the cares, concerns, and struggles of our heart can also be described as a heart on fire.  In this instance, our hearts are consumed with pain and suffering; the kind of heartache that seems will never burn out.  This can lead us, also with great passion, to wish pain and suffering on those who have wronged us.

The psalmist writes these words in this kind of context.  The psalm is a calling forth of God's vengeance on those who have wronged the people.  The psalm is explicit in calling for God "wipe them out of their wickedness."

I often share with others that feelings are neither good nor bad; they simply are.  What we do with these feelings and the actions we take in response to them, however, is what we are called to consider in our discipleship.  

I don't believe going to God honestly with these kind of feelings is wrong.  It is actually a very human reaction, one that I am sure God understands.  Still, the reconciling nature and compassionate love of God will console our hearts and lead us toward a love of enemy that seems both counter-intuitive and counter-cultural.  Yet, it marks the path of Jesus.

And as we move beyond these moments of pain and hurt, with the Lord's guidance and strength, then our hearts on fire with consuming pain and hatred are turned to hearts on fire for the amazing grace and healing work of Christ. 

Consoling God, turn us from our pain and lead us toward love. Amen. 

  

 

Devotion for Monday, March 7

Readings for the day

   Psalm 89

   Genesis 49: 1-28

   I Corinthians 10:14 - 11:1

   Mark 7: 24-37

He said to her, "Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." She answered him, "Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Then he said to her, "For saying that, you may go, the demon has left your daughter." (Mark 7:27-29)

This is one of those readings that can often confound us about Jesus.  It is an example of Jesus clearly acting out of his humanity.  Jesus is initially dismissive of this woman seeking help for her daughter, who has a demon .  Now, what do we do with this?

I am of the opinion that this is a rather significant moment in the life of Jesus.  You see, according to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus' ministry, healing, and preaching have, up to this point in the Gospel, been primarily directed to those who are Jewish, those who he calls "children".  The woman, and her daughter are Greek, of Syrophoenician origin. In other words, she is a Gentile, a non-Jew.  And Jesus had, until now, not brought his message of salvation to those outside the Jewish faith.  

In my estimation, I believe that Jesus, through His own faith and trust in the Father, experiences this woman's faith as an opening up of his ministry, one that takes his mission beyond simply the Jewish people to Gentiles as well.  For from this point on in Mark, Jesus begins expanding his mission to Gentiles as well.  

This can be very helpful for us as we consider our own journey of faith and discipleship.  Jesus was a model of faithfulness.  Jesus models an openness to God doing a new thing in his own life.  As we grow in following Jesus we will find that just as the Father opened new paths of ministry for Jesus, then indeed the Father will do the same in our lives. 

Father God, help us to be open to your ways in our lives, especially those that are new. Amen.  

Devotion for Friday, March 4

Readings for the day

   Psalm 88, 91, 92, 95

   Genesis 47: 1-26

   I Corinthians 9: 16-27

   Mark 6: 47-56

To the weak, I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings (I Corinthians 9: 22-23)

I have a saying.  Sometimes holy inconsistency is more faithful than being consistently holy. Now, let me explain.  

I am NOT saying to not be "holy".  What I am saying is that sometimes "holy things" are a stumbling block for folks to hear the message of Jesus.  Let me share a story.

I had a couple of friends who got to know me outside of church.  They did not attend worship, were not particularly interested in attending worship or joining a congregation.  Their lives were generous, loving, and quite fun.  They traveled, supported meaningful causes, and were absolutely lovely people.  Church? Well, thanks, but no thanks.

I played softball and baseball with the husband.  We became great friends, bonding over the love of sports, rock music, and a good beer.  When I was pursuing my doctorate I invited them to be on the team that critiqued my sermons for my program.  They agreed.  After participating in this over the course of a couple of years, I told them, as it was coming to end, that I wanted them to know that I wasn't going to "evangelize" them, and that I appreciated their participation.  My friend then said one of the most poignant things I've ever had said to me, "Well, Dave, why not? I believe we are ready for you to do that."

The rest is history.  They are active and engaged in the life of a congregation now.  They continue to be the awesome people they have always been, but now with a love and genuine affinity for Jesus as part of their lives.  And they taught me something powerful about what I believe St. Paul was saying in I Corinthians.  

We are called to meet people where they are, love them and be genuine with them.  And let Jesus do his thing!  This means that we may not be consistently holy as some would define this.  But that is OK.  Because the kingdom of God and the church is greater, more beautiful, and extremely blessed because my friends are an active part of it!  And for this, I give thanks to God!

Loving God, help us to love others where they are and may your power reach them through us. Amen.     

Devotion for Thursday, March 3

Readings for the day

   Psalm 42, 43, 85, 86

   Genesis 46: 1-7, 28-34

   I Corinthians 9: 1-15

   Mark 6: 30-46

When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat." But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." 

(Mark 6: 35-36)

The feeding of the 5000 is a wonderful and well-known story from scripture.  I have absolutely no problem believing it as a miracle.  Jesus, the Lord of creation, could easily have transformed five loaves and two fish into a bounteous feast, enough for everyone.  Not an issue for me.

For others, well, this becomes a stumbling block for them in relating to Jesus.  And I get it.  I truly do.  I've heard the following interpretation of the story.  It is a welcome interpretation for me because it has something meaningful to say to us, perhaps even more than a miracle of Jesus can.

The reading says that disciples ask Jesus to send the folks away so that they can "buy something for themselves to eat."  The assumption here is that everyone should go their own way and be responsible only for themselves and their food.  Jesus, however, offers another possibility, one that more powerfully resembles the purpose and power of the kingdom of God.

When Jesus says, "You give them something to eat" could it be that he was suggesting what life in the kingdom of God looks like; a place where we take care of each other, we feed each other, and we share with each other instead of just going our separate ways? 

What if the act of Jesus blessing and sharing the loaves and fishes was to model for his disciples and inspire everyone else to share their food with each other? By doing so, there was not only enough, but plenty of leftover. 

It could have simply been an awesome miracle.  Or it could be another kind of miracle, one where we learn to share, to love each other, and to use what God has first given us to be blessings to others in our world.  When we do, we come to find that we not only enough, we have an abundance.  This is what life in the kingdom of God can be!

God of abundance, work the miracle of faith and loving of neighbor in my life. Amen.

Devotion for Wednesday, March 2

Readings for the Day

   Psalm 81, 82, 119: 97-120

   Genesis 45: 16-28

   I Corinthians 8: 1-13

   Mark 6: 13-29

"Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob" (Psalm 81:1)

The word shout is interesting to me here.  When shouting occurs in our world it is generally seen as something not pleasant.  Shouting in the home means that either your kids are not listening, you are trying to communicate up two flights of stairs to someone, or else the wife is rather perturbed about the husband not doing the things around the house he said he would (from personal experience).

In any case, when the psalmist writes that we are to "shout for joy" I take this to be akin to what happens when I'm watching the Redskins or Duke.  I shout mostly in frustration, but will shout for joy as well.  And I've often wondered, "Why don't I shout for Jesus?"

This may be a bit disturbing to others in our culture, but hey it could be a lot of fun.  When someone tells you about a great blessing why not shout "Whoo hoo!" just like I would with a Redskins touchdown.  When someone tells you about an amazing peace they have come to experience in their life, why not shout, "Yeah, baby, that's what I'm talking about Jesus! You da man!"

Of course, people may think we're crazy.  But I don't know, maybe they will be edified and do it themselves.  Next thing you know people could be shouting to the Lord all over, and wouldn't that truly be something to shout about?

Lord, may we shout our praise and thankfulness to you always and in all ways. Amen.