Daily Devotions

Our devotions this Lenten season have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s devotion is by John and Anita Lacy.  Also, if you would like to join our staff in praying the liturgy for Responsive Prayer/Suffrages just click here.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.  Romans 12:1-2

What a fortunate scripture to be assigned. This is one of my favorite chapters in the New Testament.  These verses are the lead-in to one of Paul’s discussion of spiritual gifts.

We have all wondered at one time or another, “Why I am I here?  What is the purpose of my life?”  Or, indeed, “What is the purpose of life, in general?”  The answer is, we are here to love God and to love one another and be of service to others.  In order to do this we have to contribute to and be a part of the overall community.  We each contribute in a different way.

In the womb, we were given spiritual gifts from God. Each person’s gifts are different.  After we are born, we acquire skills and talents and passions. Based on these gifts, skills, talents, and passions, we become

musicians, engineers, pastors, dentists, lawyers, plumbers, carpenters, teachers, farmers, etc., you name it.  We all have our calling.  We are to use these callings to the benefit of the overall community. Yet, in living our everyday life we are often conflicted and questioning and sometimes lose heart.  It is at these times that we especially need to hear these words from Paul.

In my work life I sometimes had questions as to whether what I was doing was meaningful, and I would get discouraged. But, invariably, something (or someone) would appear that would alleviate that discouragement.  On Christmas day of 1959, I was alone in a small metal building in Cameron, Louisiana– a very small community on the Gulf of Mexico coast. No businesses were open (including the town’s one cafe).  My job that day was to relay messages by radio to and from an operation that was taking place on a drilling rig about 100 miles offshore. I had not had one call all day, and I was feeling rather useless, alone (which I was), and very hungry!!  At almost exactly noon, I heard a helicopter land next to the building.

I went outside to see what was going on, and the chopper pilot handed me a huge turkey dinner with all the trimmings that had been prepared for me by the rig’s cook. The pilot got back in the chopper and returned to the rig.  I had not been forgotten and I was not alone.

Everyone needs their spirits lifted sometimes and that is what we are all here for.

With the Psalmist We Pray – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence nor take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Amen.

Our devotions this Lenten season have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s devotion is by Marlaena Dobbins.  Also, if you would like to join our staff in praying the liturgy for Responsive Prayer/Suffrages just click here.

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them. ” But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);  because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”   Romans 10:1-13

As a child my faith was not something of question. I was told that there was a man in the sky that would let me into heaven if I was good and a man in the ground that would punish me if I were bad. It seems that I was too scared that I would go to hell if I questioned my faith. I later learned that all that didn’t matter if I did not confess Jesus Christ as my Savior, which meant getting baptized.

My mama told me she never baptized me because my religion was something that should be decided on my own. I’m glad that she decided this. I got to experience being saved and witness how many people truly cared about me.

The weird thing is that I didn’t feel any different after I got baptized, yet there was a sense of knowing where I belonged. This was a big deal for me because in all of my life I never stayed in a place for more than two years, and knowing that I would always have a home that could never be taken away from me gave me a sense of satisfaction.

Something that I’ve learned through all of this is that it doesn’t matter how long it takes to get home, you’re always welcome . God will never deny you his love or exclude a soul from his grace. It does not matter your race, sexual orientation, total income, or past in order to be a part of God’s family.

Let us pray:  Jesus, we pray that everyone is shown your unconditional love.  And let people realize that we can not save ourselves. Amen.

Our devotions this Lenten season have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s devotion is by Heather Leatherwood.  Also, if you would like to join our staff in praying the liturgy for Responsive Prayer/Suffrages just click here.

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.   Acts 9:1-9

I am a single mom.  This is the first time I have written these words down.

I hide this fact from clients, fellow church members, and even some friends and family because I fear judgment.  I fear that I will no longer fit in.

The need for belonging is a strong human desire.  People often join a church, not only because they want to honor God and praise Jesus, but because they want to belong.  To many, membership means they belong.  It also means that others do not belong.  Saul valued membership, and he felt he was doing God’s work by persecuting Christians. It wasn’t until Jesus blinded him that he came to understand that he was persecuting true followers of God, and in turn, persecuting Jesus himself.  He soon came to realize that discipleship was more valuable than membership; he spread word to the Jews, the group to which he formerly belonged, that Jesus was the Son of God.

Just as Jesus blinded Saul, I ask that you close your eyes to the pre-conceived notions of membership and belonging.  Open your mind and your hearts to accept those who don’t “belong,” and share what you have been taught.

Let us pray:  Lord, we thank you for showing us how to love and accept others. Guide us as we seek those who feel that they do not belong and as we share your word with them.  Amen.

Our devotions this Lenten season have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s devotion is by Luetta Allen.  Also, if you would like to join our staff in praying the liturgy for Responsive Prayer/Suffrages just click here.

But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.  1 Timothy 6:11-16

Paul writes to Timothy with instruction and encouragement.  Note that he uses action verbs; flee, pursue, and a very vivid verb, fight. He is NOT advising that we get our name on a roster and then sit contentedly as members.  Are we called to be Christian members, or Christian disciples?  Disciples are students and followers.  They learn and they take action.  Paul tells us that we are to take action in our faith.  We are to fight the good fight.  What a powerful image.  We may get bruised, hurt, knocked down, but with the strength of our God and the encouragement of our fellow Christians, we keep getting up and coming back swinging.

We are to pursue many noble attributes including endurance, because we are to keep this command for how long?  We are to keep the command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ…our whole life.  A life with Christ is not passive, it is active.

We are not meek, we are his bold soldiers.

Let us pray:  Father God, give us the wisdom to know your will and the strength to follow you into action.  Make us brave enough to fight the good fight.  Help us to persevere to the end.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Our devotions this Lenten season have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s devotion is by Cathy Doughty.  Also, if you would like to join our staff in praying the liturgy for Responsive Prayer/Suffrages just click here.

We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia; for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints— and this, not merely as we expected; they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us, so that we might urge Titus that, as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete this generous undertaking among you. Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.  2 Corinthians 8:1-7

This verse brings to mind another, in Luke 12:32, God says “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Think about how this will change your prayer as you learn to look upon God as the great all wisdom, all presence, and all power. Suppose that we had to remind God to put apples on apple trees, peaches on peach trees, or berries on berry bushes; or suppose that we had to remind God that we need or do not need so much rain or remind him every evening that it should become dark and the stars should come out and the moon.

God is doing all these things without our advice or petitions, and can we not trust him enough to know our needs without reminding him of them?

Let us pray:  God, Thank you for the assurance that you will provide for your disciples. Please help us to remember that we are called to move beyond that assurance to excel in all areas of our life. Help us to become committed disciples who serve you earnestly and give generously to help create your kingdom here on Earth. In this way, we can help care for your flock. Amen.

Our devotions this Lenten season have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s devotion is by Laura Espinoza.  Also, if you would like to join our staff in praying the liturgy for Responsive Prayer/Suffrages just click here.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20

What is Christian discipleship?  According to the scripture, being a Christian disciple involves personal growth characterized by the following: placing Jesus first in all things (Mark 8:34-38); following Jesus’ teachings (John 8:31-32); fruitfulness (John 15:5-8); love for other disciples (John 13:34-35); and evangelism (making disciples of others) (Matthew 28:18-20).

Today at Church I introduced myself to someone I had not seen before. She told me her name. I told her my name and asked if she would like to sit with us while she drank her coffee. She smiled and agreed. She had a community newspaper in her hand and said that she came to our church today because she was interested in “Financial Peace” and the “Enough” sermon topic.

This was proof to me that our weekly ads do reach potential visitors. She also shared with us that she used to attend a church but currently did not belong to a church. We discussed the focus of the sermon to maintain our faith and experience joy despite daily struggles.  I invited my new friend to a learning group after the service.  I just knew we would both be welcomed in Kathy Patrick’s Learning Group.  At the close of our conversation, she said she felt very welcome at Faith and would think about returning.

Evangelism is sharing our faith with outsiders about how Jesus Christ works in our lives. The most exciting part for me is that no matter what our maturity level in the Christian life, we have something to offer. Too often, we believe Satan’s lie that we don’t really know enough or haven’t been a Christian long enough to make a difference. Not true! Some of the most enthusiastic representatives of the Christian life are new believers who have just discovered the awesome love of God. They may not know many Bible verses or the “accepted” way of saying things, but they have experienced the love of the living God, and that is exactly what we are to share.

Let us pray:  Dear God, thank you for everything we have. We are blessed and even though we might not think we have the exact right words to say, a simple “hello,” “welcome,” or “please come sit with us” seems good enough.  And just sharing our thoughts is good enough for a stranger. I pray that every visitor to Faith feels warm and welcome. I pray that my new friend felt warm and welcome at Faith today, that she may find peace with our family, and that she comes back to worship with us. Amen.

Our devotions this Lenten season have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s devotion is by Tessa Holmes.  Also, if you would like to join our staff in praying the liturgy for Responsive Prayer/Suffrages just click here.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. John 13:3-17

Everyone washes their feet every day and does not give a second thought to it. In this passage from John 13 Jesus shows that even a Lord as mighty as himself can wash the feet of disciples. John was written to show the word of God and in this book proves he is real. Jesus knew all along of Peter’s imminent betrayal and yet insisted on washing the feet of the disciples.

Peter himself even tried to argue against the cleaning and then proceeded to ask for his hands and head to be washed too. Jesus explained himself to Peter and to the group and left them with a lasting impression of the way we ought to carry ourselves in life. This humble attitude that Jesus portrayed was so that he could show his disciples how to act when he is no longer physically there.

The selfless, servant-like attitude is easily illustrated and often forgotten but, “very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master”. The scripture was written to teach us about Jesus’ amazing love, forgiveness,

and understanding towards everyone.

Let us pray:  Lord, we thank you for giving us your guidance of washing other peoples’ feet. Enable us to be servants in your world and help us to touch the lives of others with your love.  In your name we pray, Amen.

Our devotions this Lenten season have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s devotion is by Geneva Freels.  Also, if you would like to join our staff in praying the liturgy for Responsive Prayer/Suffrages just click here.

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  Acts 2:37-42

When I read this scripture, I was again overwhelmed with God’s love and generosity of providing a means by which we can be forgiven of our sins and gain everlasting life with him. Only though his grace and Jesus’ sacrifice can we be forgiven of our sins.

When I ask God to forgive my sins, it reminds me I must also know what God expects of me to lead a Godly life. I know I must study the Bible, follow the Ten Commandments, and observe the sacraments. But even when I try to lead a Christian life, I will fall short of my goal.

I know we sin on our thoughts, words, and deeds.  I cannot free myself from sin so I must repeatedly ask for God’s forgiveness.

When I truly meditate on these verses, it fills my heart with praise and thanksgiving. Personally, I am so grateful that God forgives my sins that I am inspired to do his his will.

Let us pray:  Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of forgiveness. What an awesome gift bestowed upon all generations. Help us to enlighten those who feel they have no hope that God loves them and forgives their sins. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Our devotions this Lenten season have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s devotion is by Lora Gough.  Also, if you would like to join our staff in praying the liturgy for Responsive Prayer/Suffrages just click here.

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” Hebrews 13:1-6

Inviting strangers into my home or inviting and sitting next to a homeless, and perhaps smelly, person in church is not something that I think I could do.

When Hurricane Katrina hit several years ago, thousands of people needed homes. I thought about opening the small room attached to my garage as shelter to some of these individuals, but I didn’t do it. I guess I was afraid of the unknown. Radical hospitality is scary.

Looking at Hebrews 13:1-3 reminds me that I must love and treat everyone as a brother or sister ignoring any fearful consequences.  I need to look beyond myself. Who would help me if I were homeless or hungry?

As an optional assignment in a class in college, my professor asked us to spend a day downtown on the streets begging. We were told to not bathe for a number of days and dress in ragged attire.  I don’t know if anyone accepted this assignment but I still remember how vulnerable it made me feel.

I have never been homeless or in prison, but perhaps trying it out for a day or two would change my perspective and make me more empathetic.

Let us pray:  Dear Lord, help me to filter my thoughts through the minds of others who are penniless or destitute. Help me to open my mind and heart in ways that I have not been comfortable with in the past, so I can love others as a brother or sister. Amen.

Our devotions this Lenten season have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s devotion is by Karen Elsen.  Also, if you would like to join our staff in praying the liturgy for Responsive Prayer/Suffrages just click here.

Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead.  Acts 10:32-42

Radical hospitality is a way of welcoming guests and strangers.

As a young college graduate I traveled to Paris to study.  I left my small Lutheran college armed with a degree in French and the contact numbers of two elderly Russian widows living in Paris.  Arriving exhausted from travel I called one of the phone numbers provided by my friend, Joyce.  They were not expecting me, but directed me to take a cab to their apartment building. For the next three days they fed and housed me, taught me how to use the metro, and acted as cheerleaders as I interviewed for an au pair position and registered for classes.  They were my welcoming committee because I had been sent to them by our mutual friend, Joyce.

Every Sunday we are the welcoming committee to friends and strangers referred to us by our mutual friend, Jesus.  May we welcome them with the same love he has shown us.

Let us pray:  Lord, as we welcome both friends and strangers sent by you to worship with us, make us sensitive to the ways we can help others feel at home in our midst.  Amen.