Daily Devotions

During the Lenten season, members of Faith Lutheran Church have written our daily devotions.  Today’s writer is Don Hodde.

²⁷As they were going down to the outskirts of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the boy to go on before us, and when he has passed on, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God.”  Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him; he said, “The Lord has anointed you ruler over his people Israel. You shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their enemies all around. 1 Samuel 9:27-10:1a

Have you ever received some startling news, something right out of left field, something you just did not expect to hear?  Perhaps of a new job opportunity, a suggestion to run for political office, or a request to serve in a role for which you don’t feel qualified to undertake?  While in some ways you feel honored to be considered, proud to be recognized for your capabilities, you might also feel apprehensive, a bit insecure in your ability to really do this!

Saul probably felt this way when he encountered Samuel.  Samuel claimed to have a ‘message from God’ for him, a call for him to rule over Israel.  Described earlier in chapter 9 as ‘an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites’, Saul considered himself unfit for such a call!  He too perhaps felt insecure, or perhaps was not wanting to go ‘all in’, to commit to the hard work and effort he knew it would take to succeed.

Sometimes that is what we are called by God to do. To step out of our comfort zone, to take on roles and responsibilities for which we don’t feel qualified, for which we don’t think we have the time it will take to do the job well, for which we feel insecure to fulfill.  For the sake of moving His kingdom forward. 

When God calls, God enables!  When we trust His wisdom, seek His guidance, honor His ‘anointment (of us) as ruler over his inheritance’, with humility and commitment, we can boldly take on with confidence that which God calls us to do!

Let us pray:  Heavenly Father, it is easy for us to make excuses when we feel insecure in our ability to do your work.  To be afraid.  Or perhaps in arrogance, downplay your call as not worthy of our time and effort.  Help us to rely on you in all we are called to do to serve you, trusting in your call of us to move your kingdom forward.  In Jesus name,   Amen.

During the Lenten season, members of Faith Lutheran Church have written our daily devotions.  Today’s writer is Betty Becker.

⁴The Lord said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.” ⁵Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord’s command. ⁶He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. ⁷Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigor had not abated. ⁸The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended.⁹Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses. Deuteronomy 34:4-9

During the Lenten season, members of Faith Lutheran Church have written our daily devotions.  Today’s writer is Andy Doe.

So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. ²You must neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you. ³You have seen for yourselves what the Lord did with regard to the Baal of Peor—how the Lord your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed the Baal of Peor, ⁴while those of you who held fast to the Lord your God are all alive today. Deuteronomy 4:1-4 

In our lives we are constantly searching for structure.  Everyday our schedule is interrupted, changed, or completely discarded.  However, God speaks clearly to His people – providing all the structure we really need.  A simple set of 10 basic, essential rules is all any of us need to create a sound, structured life.

As most of us, I am constantly striving to “be a better Christian”.  I see the “Instruction” set that is the Ten Commandments clearly.  However, it is often a far more daunting task to abide by them.  The distractions of the world are constant and infinite.  I find keeping my faith at the center of my life the most essential, and difficult, task in my life.

Do you find yourself thinking that it can’t be that simple?  Shouldn’t being a Christian be far more complex?  Do you ever find yourself in sin and try to create some justification for your acts?

However, as usual, God has provided us with all we need.  We need not find new, or better, ways to live as good Christians – we need only follow those Commandments – letting our Christianity shine, through the support of the structure God provides.

 Let us pray: Dear God, please help me keep the distractions of the world at bay and instead, my eyes fixed on you. Convict me when needed and don’t allow me to justify my actions to myself, others, or to you. Show me ways to live as you have created me to be. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

During the Lenten season, members of Faith Lutheran Church have written our daily devotions.  Today’s writer is Alan Balius.

²Now there was no water for the congregation; so they gathered together against Moses and against Aaron. ³The people quarreled with Moses and said, “Would that we had died when our kindred died before the Lord! ⁴Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? ⁵Why have you brought us up out of Egypt, to bring us to this wretched place? It is no place for grain, or figs, or vines, or pomegranates; and there is no water to drink.” ⁶Then Moses and Aaron went away from the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting; they fell on their faces, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. ⁷The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ⁸Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and your brother Aaron, and command the rock before their eyes to yield its water. Thus you shall bring water out of the rock for them; thus you shall provide drink for the congregation and their livestock. Numbers 20:2-8

It’s amazing!  The same Israelites who God rescued from slavery in Egypt have a laundry list of objections to God’s provisions for them in the wilderness—there are no figs, vines, pomegranates, and now there appears to be no water.  This is not turning out the way anyone—not even Moses and Aaron—had expected.  But the brothers waited faithfully for the Lord’s direction:  Strike a rock with the staff—the same staff that led the Israelites through the Red Sea—and water will flow forth for the Israelites and their animals.

Drawing water from a rock would be even more significant if it had changed the people’s scornful attitudes to praise and thanksgiving, but here’s a quote from Numbers 21:5, one chapter later:   “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.”  To paraphrase:  “Hey, Moses, what have you done for us lately?” 

It’s easy for me, and perhaps for you, to look with amazement and ridicule at the Hebrews who quarreled with Moses and with God; however, if I’m honest, I see myself not faithful as Moses, but as full of fear and faithlessness as the grumbling Israelites.  It’s always a lot easier to complain than to be thankful, but God calls us to faithfulness, praise, and thanksgiving.  After all, we are still precious in the sight of the One who loves us in spite of our daily grumblings.  Let’s begin and/or end this day with praise.

Let us pray:  Gracious God, you are the God of our salvation, the Creator of the universe.  We think of ourselves as faithful and content, but we’re often faithless and covetous.  Strike our hearts so that love will flow forth for all people.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

During the Lenten season, members of Faith Lutheran Church have written our daily devotions.  Today’s writer is Denise Adams.

³Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, and said, “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.” ⁴And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and set up twelve pillars, corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel. ⁵He sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed oxen as offerings of well-being to the Lord. ⁶Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he dashed against the altar. ⁷Then he took the book of the covenant, and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” ⁸Moses took the blood and dashed it on the people, and said, “See the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.” Exodus 24:3-8

As I read this passage, I think about laws (rules) and promises.

Almost every day I have the opportunity to teach children about rules.  When one of the children “forgets” I remind them “rules are made to keep you and your friends safe”.  I ask them to try very hard to remember the rules so they are able to continue to play safely.  I tell them that they can come ask me if they forget the rules.  They often promise “not to do it again”.  Of course, this promise is most often broken.

The Israelites promised Moses that they would follow the Ten Commandments.   They also broke their promise.  God expects us to follow His rules as well.  God also expects that we will “forget”.  He tells us we can come to Him when we “forget” His rules.  He sent His Son to die for us that by His grace we will always be forgiven for “forgetting” His rules and breaking those promises.

As I continuously remind the children about the rules at school, God reminds us about His Laws and forgives us when we “forget” our promises.

Let us pray:  Dear God, thank you for your rules and for your forgiveness when we break our promise to follow them. Amen.

During the Lenten season, members of Faith Lutheran Church have written our daily devotions.  Today’s writer is Davis Adams.

¹⁰As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the Lord. ¹¹They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? ¹²Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, ‘Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” ¹³But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. ¹⁴The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” Exodus 14:10-14

During the Lenten season, members of Faith Lutheran Church have written our daily devotions.  Today’s writer is Rachael White.

²⁴Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die; but God will surely come to you, and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” ²⁵So Joseph made the Israelites swear, saying, “When God comes to you, you shall carry up my bones from here.” ²⁶And Joseph died, being one hundred ten years old; he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt. Genesis 50:24-26

Genesis begins with life and ends with death.  Joseph’s life was filled with adversity yet his humility, wisdom, sympathy courage, patience and generosity allowed him to forgive.  God dominated his life; it was the secret for all he did.  It was his simple trust in God that enabled him to be what he was and did what he did.  Joseph had faith in God.  He passed this faith on through his forgiveness and love for his family that lasted a lifetime.  In the end he said I die, but God will be with you-God remains.

All of us have been betrayed or been the betrayer.  We can forgive or ask to be forgiven, but only God can help us to forgive completely.  There comes a time in our lives that we have been so hurt that true forgiveness is unattainable without asking for God’s love and guidance to show us how. 

Until recently, I did not have the faith I needed to understand what forgiveness felt like, I prayed for God to help me forgive others and to forgive me of my sins.  Yes, I had to admit my role in what I saw as wrongs done against me.  Slowly, as each day passes my resentments, guilt and self-pity that have literary been eating away at me for the last 15 years have begun to fade.  God has intended everything that has happened in my life, good and bad, to show me that I must trust him and have faith in him to endure the trials that lay ahead.

Let us pray:  Lord, thank you that you intend everything that happens to us for our good.  Give me the strength to live that out; to live, to grow, to love and to show others what you have taught me in hard times.  Amen

During the Lenten season, members of Faith Lutheran Church have written our daily devotions.  Today’s writer is Christina Montalvo.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. ²I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. ³I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:1-3

The Dean of Student Affairs at my medical school often talked about the ‘Impostor Syndrome.’ How did I get into this great school? I don’t deserve to be here. I’m a fraud, and it’s only a matter of time before everyone else figures it out. 

Every now and again, and pretty much always during service, I wonder if I’m an Impostor and perhaps I should gather my things and quietly retreat to the door, but then I read the story of Abram, a pagan man who not once but twice passed his wife as his sister among several other sins. And it reminds me that God’s promise is a covenant of Grace, the unconditional and undeserving love of God, even to sinners like Abram.

Like Abram, we are all set forth on this incredible journey and instead of feeling like we are aimlessly roaming through the desert, we should trust in God’s will and recognize that this is all part of a voyage with a great destination.

Let us pray:  Dear Lord, as we carry on this great journey with many unexpected twists and turns, help give us the strength to bear the unexpected, the will to remember our blessings and the guidance to make good choices.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

During the Lenten season, members of Faith Lutheran Church have written our daily devotions.  Today’s writer is Doug Elsen.

¹⁵The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.

¹⁶And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; ¹⁷but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.” Genesis 2:15-17

In Genesis 2:15 – 17 God gave each of us an awesome amount of responsibility.  He gave us the power over ourselves and his world.  When I wake up each morning, I need to understand what a great undertaking it is to be part of God’s kingdom.  This responsibility includes service to our church.  We have many opportunities to serve and there are openings all the time for people to participate.  When I am asked to serve in leadership, I feel that it is my responsibility to serve where asked.  We are also responsible givers, practicing intentional giving that honors God and the church that we attend.

God gave us the power to make choices.  Each time we do this, we should prayerfully ask God’s guidance.  There are times when we are tempted by the fruits of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  When we make the right decision with God’s guidance we are rewarded.  It is difficult to live with the pain of bad decisions.  Each day in our business we are presented with situations where we have to evaluate what is the right decision.  There are so many temptations in business dealings, money being the main culprit, that we sometimes lose our focus on what is right and wrong.  The Holy Spirit works in us to make these choices and also to realize when we fail that there is a forgiving God who is always there for us and who gave us his Son to take away our sins.  What else do we need?  We have all the tools we need to live in this complicated world in which God has placed us.

Let us pray:  Heavenly Father, please remind us daily the responsibilities that come with faith. Show us how to serve you best and guide our thoughts and actions. Thank you for all you have given us. Amen.