DAILY DEVOTIONS
Friday, March 1, 2024
Meditation Outline
Read the scripture and
meditate on the verse using these questions:
T - (Thanks) What in these
verses makes me thankful?
R - (Regret) What do these
verses reveal that show my need to confess my sin?
I - (Intercession) What do I
need to ask God for in prayer for others and myself?
P - (Purpose/Plan) What
action or purpose do these verses encourage me to take?
Note: The Meditation
Outline will not appear daily. Please copy it if you use it.
SCRIPTURE
1 Kings 18:37 — Answer me,
O Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and
that you have turned their hearts back.
1 Peter 2:21 — For to this
you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an
example, so that you should follow in his steps.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
There is a certain thrill I
get when recognized by someone I admire. When I was a high school freshman, my
uncle was a cool senior! He was captain of the football team and known as an
all-around great guy. When he introduced me to his “inner circle,” I grew a
foot taller. In college, I worked in a music store where local bands bought their
supplies. At a dance, the guitar-playing lead singer recognized me from the
stage and gave the impression we were old friends. I felt really important at
that moment. (For a part-time “go-fer” and “Jack of all Trades” clerk, that’s
big stuff!) Imagine the thrill we will
feel when the Lord acknowledges our personal friendship with Him!!! In my
imagining, I think of standing before a judge and jury who have already made up
their minds that I am guilty and only want to determine how painfully they can
torture and execute me. At that moment, Christ says, “As Lord of lords and
King of kings, I declare Larry acquitted and innocent. Any debt he has incurred
has been paid in full by Me on the cross! He is my friend and under my
protection!” Now that is the kind of Friend we all need! Why not deepen
your relationship with Him today?
PRAYER
O Christ, my friend, I
thank You for acknowledging me and will acknowledge me when I stand before the
judgment throne. I pray that I will always confess that You are my friend who
is always with me. Thank You for Your protection and for dying for me on the
cross. I pray this in Your Holy Name. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Saturday, March 2, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 25:10 — All the
paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his
covenant and his decrees.
1 John 5:2 — By this, we
know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his
commandments.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
My senior year in seminary,
we lived in St. Paul, Minnesota. There were no direct routes to our apartment
from anywhere, but as long as you were going in the right direction, you could
find the major connecting streets. We sent directions when my parents came for
my graduation, but they got lost anyway. Because we drove it every day, what
seemed so simple to us was extremely confusing to them. They took one wrong
turn and ended up in the wrong part of St. Paul. We had to find them and lead
them to our home when they called. I also experienced that recently on my
travels. I misread a passing billboard and drove around several blocks to find
a well-known restaurant. All roads led there. I wasn’t following the correct
map. God’s road map was written to lead us Home to Him. No matter where we are
on the path, we can reach our heavenly destination by God’s grace. Keeping
God’s covenant - God’s directions - is the only sure way to find our Way. As
Robert Frost tells us: Two roads diverged in the woods, and I... I took the
one less traveled by.... It is not always the easiest or most popular road,
but the only sure road to our Creator. As God’s children, we have the map and
the directions. Will you follow them?
PRAYER
The map You have laid out
for me is often just within my reach, dear Lord. Forgive me when I forget to
use Your word to find the direction You would have me go. Even though it may
not be the easiest road, help me this day and each day to travel on Your road
so I might arrive at my destination safely. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Sunday, March 3, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 78:4 — We will tell
to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the
wonders that he has done.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 — We
were gentle among you like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So
deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the
gospel of God but also our own selves because you have become very dear to us.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
In my growing-up years, my
parents and grandparents did their best to pass on their spiritual roots to me
so I could build on a foundation. I am thankful that my father didn’t follow
the typical European pattern of many German men who seemed to “leave the
religion to the women.” According to rather sketchy stories, his teen years
were not incredibly “spiritual” in nature, but by the time I was on the scene,
his influence helped me relate to the many pastors who came and went in our
little church. “Little ears make big pitchers,” I’ve been told, and it was
true. Along with all the good I “overheard.” there was also the “roast
preacher” for lunch. One, in particular, got served up frequently. That
information lay in my mind when I started a confirmation class with him. I
sometimes had trouble distinguishing the “roasting” from the truth. I
discovered the authentic “Pastor” for myself in those classes and on our trip
to church camp. He shared the gospel in ways that prepared me for my decision
to become a pastor. Best of all, he shared himself with us. He became real and
convinced me that Jesus is real, too-Jesus is more than a story. Jesus lives!
How well do you share the gospel? Someone has said it is the responsibility of
every Christian to share the gospel and even use words, if necessary. Why not
try sharing the gospel by sharing yourself with someone who may not understand
the words?
PRAYER
There are times, Heavenly
Father when my words get the better of me, and I do not spread Your Good News
by them. Forgive me. Help me to show the gospel this day by my actions. Use me
for Your good, giving forgiveness and grace to those in need. I pray that I
might say good words to those who serve You today and that they might recognize
the love of Your family. All this I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Monday, March 4, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 19:8 — The
commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes.
John 14:21 — They who have
my commandments and keep them are those who love me, and those who love me will
be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Our country’s legislative
process always boggles my mind. Recently, gun legislation was tacked on to a
budget bill and passed without debate. At other times, the strangest laws slip
onto the books on the shirt-tails of totally unrelated laws. I won’t even go
into the issue of our tax codes. No wonder we need lawyers to figure it all
out! We have a Christian friend who is an excellent young lawyer. Tad never shares
confidences but has explained how the laws can and are bent out of shape by how
they are interpreted. Even speeding tickets, which seem black and white, can be
dismissed with suitable logic and the right judge. The laws of God are clear,
clean, and straightforward. “Religious” people like to play with them, bend
them out of shape, and re-interpret God’s original version, but our righteous
JUDGE knows firsthand the letter of the Law and the intent of the Law, as well
as the intent of our hearts. We may be able to write human laws
or interpret them in a way that gives us “license” to do things our way, but “the
commandments of the Lord are clear.” Those who stop kidding themselves and
live by God’s command are rewarded with a Friendship and a Friend who will
testify on their behalf in the Court that counts! Who do you plan to call for
your first witness?
PRAYER
O God, Your commandments
are clear; I am to love You above all others and love my neighbor as myself. If
I have not put You first in everything, forgive me. If I have not shown love
for others, forgive me. Turn my heart and mind so that I am not fooling myself
into thinking that everything I do is as You wish for me. In the name of
Christ, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Wednesday, March 5, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 11:2 — The spirit
of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the
spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
Mark 1:9-11 — Jesus was
baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water,
he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And
a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well
pleased.”
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
When my sister was nine, and
I was ten, we sang a duet for a 4-H talent contest. Afterward, I overheard my
mother talking to a stranger and pointing with pride to her son and daughter.
Our parent’s pride in each of their children was expressed freely. After I was
ordained, my father introduced me to someone as, “This is my son. He’s a
pastor!” Even in the last month of her life, when my mother introduced me to
one of her nurses, she proudly added, “he’s a pastor!” As I write, I smile but
realize I do the same thing with my children. “This is Dane. He’s an instructor
and maintenance supervisor for a large apartment complex.” “This is Dan, and he
works for Microsoft.” I admit, I’m proud
of them. So sue me! I know, but only dimly, how proud God was of Jesus. It
makes the heart swell with pride. Have you considered that God has that same
pride because of you?! In baptism, God adopted you as His precious child. In
the same way that my children have not always been perfect and have not always
walked the walk I would have chosen for them, all of God’s children can be
thankful that God is “slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love;” and that
God still claims us and proudly declares us His “beloved”! Knowing how proud
God is of us, let us do our best to live a life whose purpose is to please
God.
PRAYER
I am humbled, Heavenly
Father when I am reminded of how proud You are of me and to claim me as Your
own. Thank You for adopting me through my baptism. It is comforting to know
that You will always love me. Help me to live with others so that You are never
ashamed of me. In the name of Christ, I call You my Father. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
SCRIPTURE
2 Chronicles 30:8 — Do not
now be stiff-necked, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his
sanctuary.
Acts 19:11 — God did
extraordinary miracles through Paul.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
We had some “stiff-necked”
chickens who were bound and determined to roost in the trees instead of the
safety of their shed. If we couldn’t catch them and put them in the shed, we’d
usually find only their feathers and bones the next day. We had some “stiff-necked”
cows who insisted on crawling through barbed wire fences to get better grass,
cutting their udders. We also had some “stiff-necked” dogs under the fatal
delusion that they could catch the tires of passing trucks. I’ve also known a
few “stiff-necked” Christians who insist that the way we’ve always done it
is the only way to do it. Working with people who can bend a little and “think
outside of the box” is a thrill. Grounded in the Word and supported by their
faith in Christ, they can consider possibilities not yet explored. One gracious
saint recently declared, “I don’t particularly like some of these changes, but
if they encourage some younger people to come to the Lord, I’m willing to live
with them.” Paul, “thinking “outside of the box,” allowed God to use him to
perform extraordinary miracles. Perhaps God is waiting for all of us to bend a
little so that He can do the same through us! Grounded in the Word and firm in
our faith, we have nothing to lose but everything to gain. Thanks be to
God!
PRAYER
I ask for Your
forgiveness, O God, when I think of others as the ones who are “stiff-necked”
and forget that many times, it is I who fails to bend. I thank You for Your
grace and love. Mold me and shape me with Your love and understanding. I pray
this in the name of my Savior. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Thursday, March 7, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 40:15 — Even the
nations are like a drop from a bucket and are accounted as dust on the scales.
Ephesians 3:19 — Know the
love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the
fullness of God.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Sometimes, we major in minors
and forget to keep the main thing the main thing. I know I have. When I went
fishing with my uncle at age seven, I lost interest in the bobber and followed
the trail of a four-legged creature I never found. The tiny sunfish would have escaped
if my uncle had not been nearby. At the beginning of my senior year in college,
I worked two jobs while trying to keep my grades up. At times, one or the other
job took longer than I could afford to take from my studies. One of my bosses
saw the problem before I did. He reminded me what my “main thing” was and let
me reduce my hours. The church makes the same mistake when we forget our divine
purpose as the “body of Christ.” We can become so busy with programs that we
forget people. We can become more concerned about following the rules of
tradition or following the likes and dislikes of society. At the same time, we
forget our mission and the importance of discovering the best way to carry it
out. When we listen to the Word and hear the Voice of the Lord, we are called
back to the major things, and we encourage one another to remember the “Main
Thing!” Isaiah knew that great nations were not the main thing - they were mere
dust. St. Paul knew the only “Main Thing” that matters is the love of Christ.
What is the “main thing” in your life?
PRAYER
Call me back, dear God, to
what should be the “main thing” in my life - which is You. I pray that I might
not get so busy today that I miss out on the opportunities You give me to love
You and others. Help me focus on loving Your children, especially those with
whom I am having difficulties. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Friday, March 8, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Deuteronomy 23:5 — The
Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the Lord your
God loved you.
Mark 5:34 — Jesus said to
her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your
disease.”
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
The blizzard of 1950, when I
had to stay overnight in school, could have been a curse, but I saw it as a
blessing because we got to use colored chalk on the blackboard. We had a feast
when a farmer brought us food, and I got to stay with my grandparents the next
day. The accident in which a large truck sideswiped us while my son was
driving, sending our car into a 360-degree spin on a busy highway before ending
in a ditch 50 feet away from a steep mountain drop-off, could have been a fatal
disaster, but thanks be to God, we walked away with minor injuries. The curse
was that it totaled our car when we could not afford to buy a new one, but the
blessings flowed in abundance as it drew us closer to our son, and we found
friends who came to help in our time of need. Every bad thing that happens in
our lives can be seen as a curse, but it can also be a source of great
blessing. Joseph declared God turned the curse of being sold by his brothers
into slavery into the blessing of being able to save his family from famine.
Moses declared that God turned the curse Balaam spoke against God’s children
into a blessing. Jesus turned a woman’s constant bleeding into the blessing of
wholeness. In the same way, Jesus waits for us to turn our “curses” over to Him
so that He can turn them into blessings. Would you rather hold on to them, or
are you ready to give them up to Jesus so He can fill you with joy again?
PRAYER
There are many times when
I only see the things happening to me as a curse, Heavenly Father. Open my eyes
to see that you are still active and at work in me and my world during those
times. I give all of these negative things to You and pray that You will make
them into blessings. In your Son’s name, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Saturday, March 9, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Malachi 3:2 — But who can
endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
Mark 13:35 — Therefore,
keep awake - for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the
evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Our college band director
warned us that a very important friend of his who had survived the Titanic was
coming to visit and would be playing with our band. He told us all about his
friend’s many awards and achievements. Then he encouraged us to practice,
practice, practice! As the date approached, we felt somewhat intimidated and
wondered if we could meet his standards. When the day arrived, we were as ready
as possible, and our guest trumpeter was incredibly skilled but equally
gracious and encouraging. We were not put down. We were lifted up and left the
experience feeling good about ourselves. The day of the Lord will be like that.
The Lord doesn’t expect us to do anything; He has not given us the gifts to do.
He expects us to practice using those gifts to be (play) in harmony with Him
whenever He comes. Our only reason for being nervous or uptight about the Day
of the Lord is that we have been too busy doing our own thing to practice doing
God’s thing and fulfilling God’s purpose for us. May the joyful expectation of
that great Day fill you and bless you.
PRAYER
I praise You with all my
heart and soul, dear Lord, for Your graciousness and love for me. Thank You for
the many gifts that You have given me. Help me see them, practice with them,
and then use them to serve You. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Sunday, March 10, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Joshua 24:18 — We also
will serve the Lord, for he is our God.
1 Corinthians 4:1 — Think
of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Tom Sawyer got his friends to
pay him to do his work. I’ve often admired Tom for that. I never
convinced my sister or brothers that my chores were “fun.” It could have been
because I wasn’t a good actor and didn’t enjoy doing them myself. As a pastor,
I suppose that is what I’m supposed to do - get church members so
convinced that being servants of Christ is so exciting that
they’d happily pay to do the work of Christ in the world. Of course, that is
what every Christian, not just pastors or church councils, are supposed to do -
convince the world that living the life of a servant of the Lord is the
greatest, most exciting, most challenging, and most rewarding opportunity
anyone could hope for. Sadly, we’re not ready to join Joshua like the
Israelites were when he challenged them: “As for me and my house, we will serve
the Lord.” They all jumped on the bandwagon, ready to die for the Lord and
serve His cause. We can become complacent, and the church can become weak and
weary when we forget our purpose and the reward already deposited by Christ in
Heaven’s bank! Are you ready to re-enlist? Are you prepared to get excited
enough to encourage others?
PRAYER
I am sorry that I let other things keep me
from that joy of serving You, dear Lord. Fill me with great joy, excitement,
and a desire to serve you. Stir your Spirit within me and help me share that
excitement with others. In the name of the Christ, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Monday, March 11, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 41:16 — Then you
shall rejoice in the Lord; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory.
1 Peter 1:8 — Although you
have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you
believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
When I was ten, one of my
best friends was Roy Rogers. He and I rode together, caught many bad guys,
saved many people from death, and talked about all sorts of things. Of course,
I never actually saw him with my eyes, but my greatest cowboy hero was
never far away when my imagination kicked in. I was thrilled when we got our
first black and white TV, even though reception was usually very poor. My
friend Roy had his own show, which I hated to miss. Knowing “our” show would be
on would spur me to get my chores done quickly and efficiently because I knew I
couldn’t watch unless they were done. Even today, the song “Happy Trails”
brings up good feelings and makes me smile. Though I’ve only seen him on TV and
in the movies, he was a boy’s best human friend. Now that I’m a man, I’ve put
away “childish” things (sort of!) and know that Jesus has always been my best
friend. I’ve only seen Him in my heart, the love I have found in my beloved’s
eyes, the helping hand of my friends on earth, and the happy glow of children.
But I rejoice when I can share communion with Jesus and Ione, Margaret and
Harlan, Paul, Elenora, Ardyth, Bill and Rhoda, and....! What a thrill to know
that Jesus will not ride away into the sunset but will create new sunsets and
the Great Sunset that will turn into a Great Sunrise.
PRAYER
You are my hero, dear
Lord. I give praise and thanks that You are always by my side. As I ride into
the sunset of life, I know You will always be with me. Each time I take Your
body and blood in the bread and wine of communion, remind me that You are present,
along with Your other saints, living and dead, who surround me. I pray this in
your name, O Christ. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 51:1 — Have mercy on
me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy,
blot out my transgressions.
John 3:16 — For God so
loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him
may not perish but may have eternal life.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Bankruptcy is a horrible
experience for anyone to have to go through. I know some wonderful people who
have had that experience. The farm crisis brought it to some when the land they
bought for a high price on credit dropped to a fraction of its value. Poor
planning and budgeting were the cause for others. Regardless of the reason,
financial bankruptcy results in an admission that the person is worth nothing!
Emotions peak with anger, fear, resentment, and depression, followed or
accompanied by a feeling of incredible emptiness. For some who have experienced
it, there comes a moment of acceptance and relief that it is finally over. Life
can begin again, even from the bottom of the pit. We can also experience
“spiritual bankruptcy” in our lives. Many people live in misery or moral
corruption their whole lives, never seeing the true Light. Only when we finally
confess that we need God’s steadfast love and mercy can we accept God’s grace,
the sacrifice of Christ, and the blessings He offers. Lenten worship is designed
to help us discover our spiritual bankruptcy so that we can look to the cross
and embrace the Bank of Heaven, where our salvation - our true treasure - was
deposited by Christ the Lord. Need a spiritual lift? Why not let the Lord do
what you cannot do for yourself?
PRAYER
I come to You on my knees,
Heavenly Father, knowing that only through Your grace can I accomplish anything
worthwhile. Please help me in those times of sorrow, sadness, and depression.
Help lift me out of the pit that I sometimes fall into. Into Your hands, I
place my body and soul. In the name of my Savior, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 25:5 — The song of
the ruthless was stilled.
Luke 1:51-52 — He has
shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of
their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up
the lowly.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
They were cut-throats who had
viciously destroyed our snow fort. We spent all morning building the fort,
stocking it with snow bombs, and preparing for the battle scheduled for the
afternoon war. My uncle and his gang were convinced we could stand against
anyone or anything! We scattered for lunch, leaving our fortress unprotected,
believing the other gang would do the same, but when we returned, all we found
was a mass of scattered snow. When we found the other gang to call them “cheats,”
they mocked us and bombarded us with some of our own “snow bombs.” We
retreated, huddled, planned our attack, and armed ourselves for a surprise
head-on offensive. Pretending to have given up, we approached but charged when
we were within “artillery” range. The result wasn’t pretty, but the proud and
the mighty were brought down and utterly defeated! Sin and evil seem to get the
upper hand in our lives occasionally. Rulers and terrorists alike make claims
of supremacy. They may even be ruthless in their actions. The good news comes
to us from a lowly teenage girl that a child, still unborn, will bring the
mighty down from their powerful positions. We may be alarmed by how the rich
and powerful wield their earthly power, but their days are numbered, and the
One who has the real Power will set things right. Whose side will you be
on?
PRAYER
I look around and see that
things are not as they should be, that it would appear Your enemies are
winning. At those times, I forget Your incredible power and might, dear Lord.
Let me trust in Your might and eagerly await Your day. I pray that I might
bring hope and justice to those I meet this day. In the name of Christ, the
King, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Thursday, March 14, 2024
SCRIPTURE
2 Samuel 12:9 — Why have
you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight?
Romans 7:18-19 — I can
will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but
the evil I do not want is what I do.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
My computer and I are friends
again. We have not always gotten along. I had some problems with a program that
messed up several other programs. The more I worked with it, the more
frustrated I became and the further from a solution I seemed to be. I knew what
needed to happen, but I could not make it happen. Enter the computer doctor!
With the practiced skill of a brain surgeon, he discovered the problem and
fixed it! Sometimes, our spiritual lives are like that. They are off-center,
and despite our best intentions or our best resolutions, we can’t fix them
ourselves. St. Paul wasn’t a computer programmer, but he knew the human
condition inside and out and the wages of sin. From Adam and Eve to the
disciples closest to Jesus, the sinful nature of humankind could not be
overcome. St. Paul also knew the only solution to that condition - the grace
and mercy of a loving God. Are you struggling to do what seems totally out of
your capability? Why not trust the One who loved you enough to die for you and
who has the Power and Authority to set things right?
PRAYER
There are many times when
I struggle with You, O God. When I acknowledge my inadequacies, my Creator, You
come to me, make everything new, and set things right again. I give You thanks
for fixing what is wrong between You and me. Take care of whatever I need so
that I might be spiritually healthy once more. In the name of Christ. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Friday, March 15, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 130:1-2 — Out of the
depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear
my voice!
Mark 10:48, 51 —
Bartimaeus cried out, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” ...Then, Jesus said to
him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.”
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
King David hit the depths of
depression. He was a wanted man, a hunted man. King Saul had even left his
palace to hunt David down. The future looked darker than the cold, dirty cave he
was hiding in. He had no place else to go. Out of these depths, he cried to the
only One who had not deserted him. Blind Bartimaeus had tried all the cures,
but nothing worked. He, too, had hit the pits of depression and cried out to
the only glimmer of hope he could. I know their desperation, having been there
myself on several occasions, once due to “burnout,” once due to tight finances,
and twice due to health problems. Out of the depths of despair and out of the
depths of our beings, we finally look up because there is no further down we
can go. It is here that even those with addictions discover their need and
desire for help beyond themselves. It is sad when we have to be so far down
before we call out to the only One who has the power and grace to lift us up
and save us. God did that for Abraham, Moses, the children of Israel, David,
and many of the prophets. Jesus did that for a blind man, a woman caught in
adultery, lepers with living death, Peter sinking beneath the waves and later
wracked with guilt for his denials, and for me time and time again. When will
we ever learn not to wait? May we begin each day by asking our Lord to walk
with us, to talk with us, to heal us, and to bless us so that we may bless
others!
PRAYER
I lift up my eyes and
hands to You, Heavenly Father. Save me from the depths that I find myself in.
Open my eyes so that I might see the light of Your grace. Help me not to
despair but to trust in You. Walk beside me and lead me, teaching me the way
You would have me go. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Saturday, March 16, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 38:18 — I confess my
iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.
Luke 19:8 — Zacchaeus
stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will
give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back
four times as much.”
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
He had wrecked the family
car. It wasn’t his fault, but since he was driving, he accepted the
responsibility like a man. He suffered the consequences that went along with
the loss of a car, including having to ride the infamous school bus, on which
no one in his class would be caught dead. Because of the additional expenses
involved, he gave up the thought of attending a camp he really wanted to participate
in. When his parents showed him the signed camp registration to which the check
was attached, he was near tears and declared, “I don’t deserve to go! You don’t
have to do this!” “No,” they agreed, “we don’t, but we want to.” In the same
way, the Psalmist discovered the outrageous goodness of God and confessed his
sins, and Zacchaeus was driven to respond to Jesus’ coming to his house. Both
acknowledged their unworthiness in response to what God was doing
in their lives. That’s what worship is all about. It is our response to the
overwhelming goodness of God. Have you discovered God’s goodness in your life?
How will you respond?
PRAYER
My mind is boggled at Your
terrific love for me, Heavenly Father. I know my treatment of others is far
from what You want; I know there are many times when I think of my own needs
and do not put You first above everything else. There are even times when I
think I’m pretty darn good and have no need of redemption. Forgive me. Come to
my house today and bless me with Your presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Sunday, March 17, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 49:3 — The Lord
said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
John 4:22 — Jesus said to
the Samaritan woman, “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we
know, for salvation is from the Jews.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
In the “ancient of days” when
I went to country school, we had several teachers who graduated from high school
with a “teacher’s certificate”. That certificate allowed them to teach school
while attending college classes in the evenings or during the summer while
working on a degree. Several of them made it very clear that our grades,
standardized test scores, and behavior when the county superintendent came to
visit would reflect on her. Therefore, she expected us to study
especially hard so that she would get good grades, too. To some extent,
it worked, and to some extent it was true. The Lord expressed a similar
attitude through the prophet Isaiah. As servants of the Lord, we reflect God’s
glory to the world around us, especially unbelievers. The Samaritan woman is
told the same thing by Jesus, declaring that the Jews do so by worshiping what
(Whom) they know. What does failure to worship say to or reflect to the world?
Better yet, do the unbelieving world and our inactive friends see God’s glory
reflected in us when we glorify God? Serving God and serving God’s children in
need lights a fire that shatters the darkness. May God be glorified in you
today and every day!
PRAYER
Shine in me today, O
Christ, through the Spirit You have placed within me. Let others see You in me
by my words and be supported by my actions. Let them know what a wonderful and
gracious God You are by helping me to forgive others as You have forgiven me.
Help me to be a beacon in the darkness that might surround them. In Your Holy
Name, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Monday, March 18, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Jonah 2:2 — I called to
the Lord out of my distress, and he answered me.
Mark 5:36 — Jesus said to
the synagogue leader, Jairus, “Do not fear, only believe.”
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Farmers can be considered the
biggest gamblers in the world or the most incredible people of faith alive. In
good years and bad, in wet years and drought, they take steps of faith with
every crop, every animal, and every piece of machinery. No wonder Jesus used
agriculture as the subject of many parables! This past year provided a classic
example for many farmers. Last winter was particularly dry. The few snows we
had came with winds that blew the snow off the fields and into drifts. The
spring rains came late and, for our area, too little. There were no better
promises from the weather people. Planting in such dry conditions could have
meant the loss of thousands of dollars worth of seed, fuel, and fertilizer, not
to mention the countless hours of labor and the wear and tear on the equipment.
Mighty prayers were prayed, and every farmer I know took the leap of faith,
trusting that God would answer. The summer drought and heat made some very
anxious when the few rains we had came in such small amounts, sometimes only
settling the dust. In faith, they planted. In faith, they cared for the crops.
On the surface, the harvest didn’t look too promising, but to the joyful
amazement of many, the harvest was excellent! Are you taking daily steps of
faith in your life? Are you hearing Jesus say, “Do not fear, only
believe.”?
PRAYER
I ask that You give me the
faith to put all my trust in You, dear Lord. Help me take not only a step in
faith today but also a leap of faith. Help me not fear what lies ahead but
trust in Your mercy and love, believing that You will be beside me throughout
all that happens. I pray this, trusting in the name of my Savior. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 5:3 — O Lord, in the
morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you and watch.
Mark 1:3 — In the morning,
while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place,
and there he prayed.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
One of the things I’ve
admired about our American Indian friends is the attitude passed on to them
generation after generation of greeting each morning with a prayer of
thankfulness. The head of the family first opens the door and offers his
prayers in the four directions. Not every family faithfully follows the
tradition of their elders, much like many Christians who have not followed the
teaching of their spiritual heritage. The American Indian tradition, however,
is straight out of the Old Testament, a tradition practiced by Jesus and passed
on to us. I’ve wondered what a different world this would be if we all rose
early in the morning, offered prayers of praise and thanksgiving before we
started our day, and began accumulating our list of wants, needs, and demands!
It may be an exciting challenge for us to try to do that for a while - perhaps
a month. Why not commit yourself to a brief prayer of thanksgiving first thing
on rising? Let it not be “Good Lord! It’s morning!” but rather, “Good morning
Lord! Thank You....!”
PRAYER
Good morning, Lord! Thank
You for this new day and for giving me life. Thank You for forgiving me of my
sins and giving me another opportunity to praise and serve You in all I do.
Help me continually worship You in everything that I do. Let it be for Your
glory. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 46:10 — Be still and
know that I am God!
John 8:32 — You will know
the truth, and the truth will make you free.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Quiet time was difficult to
observe when I was growing up. Mom insisted on it at “nap” time when she read to
us from the Bible storybooks she bought from a traveling salesman. Many times,
I had to fight sleep to hear the whole story. My younger brothers and sister
didn’t even try. On those days when I couldn’t sleep, I had to be quiet so they
could sleep. I’d often go out to my favorite quiet place and relive the Bible
stories in my mind, thinking about how great it must have been for Moses,
Joseph, David, and the other Bible heroes to have God on their side. Once, I
took God to my fort in the trees, where we fought some “Enamelkites”
(Amalakites)! God loaded my stick guns for me and shot lightning arrows at them
so we defeated a thousand zillion of them before I heard my sister calling for
me. I put to music the words of a poem written by the grandson of a man for his
funeral: “To sit with you, just to sit with you... These are the things I remember... I hold
dear in my heart!” We live in a noisy world. Elijah didn’t hear God in the
wind, the earthquake, or the thunder. He heard God in the stillness. Have you
given God your quiet times so that He can speak the truth to you and set you
free?
PRAYER
I am so used to noise
around me, whether it be the radio, TV, a friend, or a family member, it is
sometimes hard to have only silence. Quiet me, dear Lord, that I may take the
time to listen to Your voice and be silent long enough to hear You speak to me.
Come to me in the quietness of the day. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Thursday, March 21, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Zephaniah 1:7 — Be silent
before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is at hand.
1 Peter 4:7 — The end of
all things is near; therefore, be serious and discipline Yourselves for the
sake of Your prayers.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Many parents cringe when
their children come to join me for the children’s sermon. Some more than others
because they have children who are unafraid to talk to me. They would be quite
happy if their child memorized Zephaniah’s words, “Be silent before the Lord
God!” and did just that! I can sympathize more than you can imagine. I had
one who never stopped talking and had no inhibitions when talking to “DAD”
during children’s sermons! Parents in the pews can at least hide and slip under
the pew when something embarrassing happens. Not me! However, silence before
the Lord has more to do with showing quiet respect and incredible awe in the
presence of holiness. God already knows the secrets of our chattering hearts.
There are no hidden embarrassments. On the Day of the Lord, we need no words to
defend ourselves, for God’s Word speaks the truth in love. Our “discipline of
silence” calls on us to humbly submit to the grace and mercy of our Creator. Have
things you want to say to God? May your prayers rise before God like incense
now so that they’ll already be there on the Day of the Lord, and you can bow
down in silence.
PRAYER
I come to You today, O
God, trembling and silent at the thought of Your greatness. I pray that I might
not become lax in my respect for You and in Your message to me. You, who can
read all my thoughts, many of which I am embarrassed even to admit are mine,
pour Your grace and mercy upon me. I ask this in the name of Jesus, my Savior.
Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Friday, March 22, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 119:105 — Your word
is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Acts 4:29-30 — ...Lord,
grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch
out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of
your holy servant Jesus.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
When I was ten, I received an
Erector Set for Christmas. Aside from the Roy Rogers gun and holster set I
received another year, it was my best gift. I played with it a lot. It came
with diagrams of several projects I could make. The windmill became my biggest
challenge. I must have worked for three days trying to build it. Finally, I
told Dad it would never work. Dad took one look, pointed, and said, “There’s
our problem.” That was all it took. The proverbial light bulb popped on over
(or in?) my head. I had attached the wrong pieces for braces, leaving me short
pieces for other things and having angels that wouldn’t work. God’s word is
like that for those with ears to hear. It may be a word of correction, a word
of encouragement, a word of hope, a word of direction, or a simple word of
truth. Peter and John discovered the incredible power of God’s word in
Jerusalem, where so many people witnessed the miracle of the word that even the
authorities could not act. The prayer of Peter and John in Jerusalem is one I
pray every Sunday as I prepare for worship: Lord, grant Your servant to
speak Your word with all boldness while You stretch out Your hand to heal, and
signs and wonders are performed through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.
I wish every church member would pray those words every Sunday for their pastor
and themselves. Are you daring enough to do so?
PRAYER
O Lord, let me not be
afraid of Your word, but listen to it carefully, listening for those directed
to me, whether in encouragement, correction, hope, or warning. Give Your words
today that I might speak Your truth to others. I also pray for my pastor that
You might give them the words to say so that they might proclaim Your message
boldly when we gather to worship You. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Saturday, March 23, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 31:23 — Love the
Lord, all you his saints.
1 Corinthians 3:17 — For
God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
I loved my parents as a kid.
Although I might have grumbled about it, I would have done anything for them. I
must admit that there were times during my teenage years when I was convinced
they were in “La La Land,” way behind the times, or just plain dumb! But they
grew out of it, just like I did when our kids were that age. My great amazement
now is hearing that I’m a lot like my parents in looks and actions. Genetically,
there is truth to that thought. They shared their DNA with me, so in a sense, I
have them in me. As children of God, we have that relationship with our
Heavenly Father. God’s DNA is in each of us! We are God’s place of residence -
God’s temple. In one sense, that is comforting. God is always with us, down to
the tiniest molecules in our bodies. In another sense, it is unnerving. God is always
with us. We can’t leave God in the pew when we leave worship. We can’t leave
God on the shelf with our Bibles while we go out into the world to break His
commandments. Everywhere we go, everything we do, and every word we say is on
record in God’s heart, which reads our heart like an open book. How much do you
really love the Lord your God? Enough to treat your body as God’s
temple? Enough to honor God with everything you say and do and in every place
you go?
PRAYER
Knowing that You will be
with me today and inhabit my very being is comforting. It is also scary knowing
that You will know my thoughts, hear everything I say, and see all my actions,
O Lord. I pray that everything I do today, everything I do with my body, and
every thought will please You. In the name of Immanuel, God with us, I pray.
Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Sunday, March 24, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Ezekiel 37:26 — I will
make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with
them.
2 Corinthians 5:19 — In
Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses
against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
As kids, we made many peace
treaties with our enemies. It usually occurred at lunch, snack, or chore times.
We were not into making “blood covenants,” but we were pretty intense about the
ones we did make, promising to stick needles in our eyes and hoping to die if
we broke them. Most were “time sensitive” - ending at a specified time. We
never actually stuck needles in our eyes, and the only ones we hoped would die
were our enemies, but only until after the battle. God takes His covenants and
“peace treaties” with us far more seriously. Throughout recorded biblical
history, God has never broken a single covenant. On the other hand, God’s
people have seldom kept their covenants. Like the farmer who, during a drought,
promised to be faithful in worship and giving God a tithe if he had a good
crop. He had an excellent crop but forgot his promise and decided he was just
“lucky.” If we’re honest, we could all think of similar promises we’ve made in
moments of desperation. Our failures are often dismal. However, the One who
always keeps His promises has only one objective: to reconcile the world to
Himself. For God, it means a willingness to wipe the slate clean repeatedly.
What do you say and do when your debt is deleted from the files by one Man’s
death on a cross for you? What do you say and do when you kneel at the foot of
the cross, reminded of the covenants and treaties you have failed to keep?
PRAYER
I fall before You,
Heavenly Father, admitting the many promises I have made to You and others that
I have forgotten or neglected and broken. Forgive me. Thank You for that
forgiveness and for taking Your promises to me seriously. Help me live up to
the ones made in my baptism and reaffirm them today. In the name of Christ, I
pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Monday, March 25, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 38:19 — Fathers
make known to children your faithfulness.
Colossians 3:21 — Fathers,
do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Recent studies have confirmed
what earlier studies concluded and what ancient wisdom teachers and prophets
alike declared: “Parents have a great deal of influence on their
children’s spiritual development - both positive and negative.” I doubt
I would be where I am today had my parents not been willing to encourage me in
my relationship with the Lord, especially when I could have “found better
things to do.” Mothers play a significant role in raising children, but the
role modeling of fathers has, statistically, had even more influence! Of course,
there are exceptions to every rule, but I thank God for both my parents’ roles.
Even when we as parents feel like failures for our children during those
growing-up years, we can be confident that the Holy Spirit is not done with
them yet. We have planted the seed. We have led by example. Now, it is for them
to one day discover the blessings we have tried so desperately to pass on to
them. However, even when they leave home, they keep our way of life in sight.
How is your relationship with the Lord? How faithful have you been in worship,
prayer for your children, and Bible study? Have you become slack once your
children were confirmed? They will follow your example. What will that be?
PRAYER
Thank You for the gift of
my parents, dear Lord, and for those who, by their example, let me into Your
loving arms. Thank You also for the opportunity when I am around children to
help lead them to You. Remind me that my actions today and every day will be
seen by “little eyes,” so make those actions pleasing to You. In the name of my
Savior, I pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
SCRIPTURE
1 Samuel 12:20-21 — Samuel
said, “Serve the Lord with all your heart, and do not turn aside after useless
things that cannot profit or save.”
Matthew 6:24 — You cannot
serve God and wealth.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
We had a neighbor who had a
drinking problem. He was a progressive farmer in many ways. He built up a dairy
herd and renovated the barn to go with it. He had the latest in milking
equipment and sold Grade A milk. The problem was that more and more of his
time, attention, money, and concentration were focused on his drinking. Only by
the grace of God and a loving family did he stay out of bankruptcy. When he
finally came to grips with the fact that he was an alcoholic, his family
decided to clean up his many “hiding places.” They found whole and partial
bottles of booze hidden in every building and every nook and cranny of the
farm. The God he was serving (the “spirits”) had consumed him as he consumed
them. While that may be an extreme example, our little “gods” distract us from
the God of our Salvation. Only you or someone close to you can name those gods;
if you’re like me, you’ll deny they rule any part of your life. It takes a lot
to reach the point of total honesty and a new commitment to the only One who
can save us. Have you taken an inventory of the gods in your life? Can you
honestly declare that 100% of your life - every area of your heart, mind, body,
and soul is committed to serving the Lord?
PRAYER
I know I need to be honest
with You, O Lord, and to admit all the gods that take precedence in my life.
Help me to understand what they are and what they do with our relationship. Be
my only God, and let me be Your faithful child. Take my life and whole being so
I may be genuinely committed to You. I pray this in my Savior’s name. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
SCRIPTURE
1 Samuel 17:37 — Go, and
may the Lord be with you!
Mark 6:7 — Calling the Twelve to him, he sent
them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
In God’s Trombones,
God declares, “I’m lonely. I’ll make me a man!” In Genesis, God
declares, “It is not good that man should be alone...” And God created
woman. Anyone who has lost a spouse will tell you God was right. Two may not be
able to live as cheaply as one, but one alone is a very lonely number.
Shepherds were alone with the sheep for weeks and months, often not even having
another human to talk to. David was glad to have the Lord as his shepherd in
those times and others. God knew the importance of companionship. As a child, I
remember the fear of going into a dark room alone and how it was not
nearly as scary if anyone was with me. I thank God daily for giving me such a fantastic
“help mate” as Sue. I am thankful for a congregation that shares the burdens
and joys of ministry. Roy Rogers had Dale Evens, the Lone Ranger had Tonto, and
Batman had Robbin, but I am thankful that God has been my constant Companion,
even before I was born, and will be the One to greet me when it is my time to
go Home. I am thankful that God has blessed me with the friendship of Jesus,
whose constant Companionship gives me the confidence to face life’s challenges
and every evil spirit. May the Lord be your Companion also - always!
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for being
with me, even as I was born and each day of my life. Thank You for making me a
part of Your family and placing me among others so I do not feel so lonely. Let
me reach out to others who are lonely so that they may feel Your love and
companionship. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Thursday, March 28, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 18:32 — It is God
who arms me with strength.
2 Timothy 1:7 — For God
did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of
self-discipline.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
The farm was (and still is) a
great teacher and disciplinarian. A fool might be able to declare himself a
self-made man, but farmers are not fools. Some may forget the lessons and have
to be reminded, but one bad year can be a pretty good reminder of Who is in
control. As early in my life as I can remember, when asked why he had such a
good crop, Dad would reply, “I always plant three seeds in every hill: one for
the birds, one for the good Lord, and one for me. It never fails!” My mother
was not afraid, either, to let people know that “the Lord rode with her” and
helped her survive the attack of a charging bull, a potentially fatal tractor
accident, and numerous near catastrophes. Some of the best stewards I’ve ever
known were farmers who may not have had a nickel to give their child for a
Saturday night treat but would take out a loan to make sure their tithe was
kept up because they had no doubts whatsoever that it was God who created the
soil, seed, and rain; it was God who nurtured the seed and gave it the energy
to produce a hundredfold. With such boldness, they declared that God had given
them the strength and perseverance to farm the land. Many of them have passed
away, but the lessons they learned were passed on to their sons and daughters.
God gave us all that same spirit of power, love, and self-discipline to pass on
to future generations. How are you doing?
PRAYER
When I look at the
vastness of Your creation, O God, I realize who is in control, and it’s not me!
Give me the faith and strength to persevere this day, knowing that You are a
gracious God who has always cared for me. Be with farmers and all of us as we do
our work today. In the name of Christ. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Friday, March 29, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 129:2 — Often have
they attacked me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.
2 Corinthians 4:9 — We are
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
In the fall of my second-grade
year at Canfield School, District #35, we played “Hide-n-Seek.” I was “it”. I got
several people “out” before they reached “home,” but several of the faster
runners beat me back once I discovered their hiding place. I had trouble
finding one of the “big kids.” When I did see him hiding, he didn’t see me
until I was halfway back, so I got him “out.” My reward was a punch in the
stomach when the teacher wasn’t looking. That entire day was a bad day for me.
A rubber band stung the back of my neck, a well-placed tack on my seat caused a
puncture wound I wasn’t about to show the teacher, and one of my assignments
got mysteriously ripped, so I had to redo it. Fortunately, one of the other
“big kids” saw what was happening and started defending me. I was so relieved
to know I was not alone I almost cried. I think I did. Whether it’s bullies or
bosses, co-workers or classmates, terrorists or teasers, the effect can be the
same. We can feel forsaken and forgotten. The early Christians knew persecution
we cannot imagine, yet they knew the Lord would not let them down, nor would
they be utterly destroyed. They could face the wild animals and gladiators, the
whip, the cross, the burning stake, the boiling oil, the prisons, and the
hangman’s noose and still sing songs of victory. The one thing no one and
nothing could take away from them was their relationship with their Lord and
Savior. How is your relationship with your Lord?
PRAYER
I am sorry that sometimes
I have persecuted others, Heavenly Father, by what I have said or acted. Help
me to heal the hurts that I have made. Save me, O Lord, when I am being
persecuted. Thank You for Your presence and the knowledge that no matter what
happens, You will protect me as You have promised. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Saturday, March 30, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Jeremiah 17:14 — Heal me,
O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved.
1 Corinthians 6:20 — For
you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
A doctor friend of ours
pointed out once that, as a doctor, he doesn’t heal anyone. “I do all I can to
remove the bacteria, the blockage, or the weakness, but only God can heal.” The
more I’ve thought about his statement, the more I understand what he said. I
have had surgery to correct a problem with breathing through my nose, but it
took more than surgery to heal my body. I’ve taken numerous medicines and
nutritional supplements that have aided my body in the healing process, but the
truth is, God did the healing. I have been saved from certain death in an
accident, from financial ruin from a bad investment, from a mauling by a
vicious attacking Siamese cat, from being hopelessly lost in a foreign country,
from losing my wallet to a pickpocket in Chicago. From numerous other
disasters, but in truth, the price of my salvation was bought and paid for by
my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As Martin Luther points out in the Small
Catechism, once we realize how much God has done for us and loves us, our
response must be to thank, praise, serve, and obey Him. “This is
most certainly true!” To whom do you give credit for your healing and the
saving of your soul?
PRAYER
Thank You, O God, that no
matter what happens to this body I have now, Your love gives me eternal life. I
praise You with my entire being. Because of Your great love for me, use me and
let me serve You this day. I pray that I might put You first in everything and
that I serve others in Your name. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Sunday, March 31, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 84:1 — How lovely is
your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
Hebrews 10:20, 22 — Since
we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a
sincere heart in full assurance of faith.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
My home church was a small
wooden structure that eventually had to be demolished because of termite
damage. Growing up, I considered it a beautiful holy place, distinguished by a
life-sized statue of Jesus. In my quiet times during worship, I could almost
see Christ move. (Once, I was sure He winked at me.) At other times, Jesus was
the silent witness to our worship. I had no trouble thinking of Jesus being
present “in, with, and under” the bread and wine of Holy Communion. He might
have been invisible to some, but not to my eyes of faith. When I was twelve, I
started playing organ in that little cathedral and could spend hours practicing
in the empty building without fear. Christ was always there, standing guard.
Perhaps the quiet beauty of that experience helped me most to see Jesus as my
friend, who neither slumbers nor sleeps. That building has been torn down, and the
congregation constructed a new one. My joy is that they were able to save the
statue and some of the other furnishings to use in the new building. I still
get goosebumps when I sit with my eyes closed, knowing the presence of Christ
is still there. Several years ago, we finished and dedicated the renovation of
the church I was serving at the time. After the dedication, I sat in the beauty
of its holiness. I felt the tears before they leaked down my cheek. Since the
real church is the “body of Christ,” I wonder if the “Great High Priest,” Jesus,
sits with us “where two or more are gathered in His name” to enjoy the beauty
of holiness? Do we give Him reason to be thankful that He died for us?
PRAYER
I give You thanks, O God,
for my house of worship, a place set apart, where I might feel Your presence
and Your love. Help me always appreciate its beauty and know that it is Your
holy place, but not to worship it. Thank You for the opportunity to partake in
Your body and blood and to be a part of the church, Your larger body. In Your
name, I pray, O Jesus. Amen.
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