Daily Devotions

“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.” Matthew 25:14-18

I love David Letterman’s new show on Netflix. He interviews interesting people. The other day I watched his interview with Jerry Seinfeld. At one point, as Jerry is showering praise on Letterman for the cultural contributions he made, Letterman – in classic Midwestern fashion – does the “awshucks, go on, it was nothing” thing. Letterman says his career was “selfish.” Immediately Seinfeld challenges him. To Seinfeld, the work they did was generous.

Seinfeld said that it is like God gives you a “talent horse” and then your job is to ride it where it takes you. It took both of them to a place where they made people laugh. That was their contribution to the world. It was worthwhile.

The “talents” in this story don’t refer to the same kind of talents that Seinfeld. These talents refer to very large sums of money. But – for Seinfeld at least – those two things go together. He had to work very hard for a long time to make it as he did…but so does someone who shingles homes in the Texas sun. They too have a talent. They too might use it to the best of their ability. They might do OK but they aren’t going to get Seinfeld rich doing it.

So the world then jumps in and decides that the roofer “got by” while Seinfeld was a “huge success.” But that isn’t what the parable says.

Yes, it does say that the talents were unequal…but that isn’t to say that the wise manager wasn’t shrewd enough to realize which of his servants had the right “talent horse” to do the most with what he was given. And I don’t know how long the master was away but doubling one’s money is quite the profit.

But the point…don’t we all see it?…is the poor guy who was afraid of the boss so he put the money away for safekeeping only to end up losing everything.

I don’t know what you’re good at, or what you are passionate about, or how much money you make, or how much money you started life with…but the warning in this text is not to bury it because you fear the boss. The boss is a GOOD boss! The boss is a GRACIOUS boss! The boss LOVES YOU! Make the most OF your life for others…which has little or nothing to do with what you make IN your life for your boss, yourself, or anyone else.

Let us pray: Thank you Lord for entrusting the gift of life to us and for giving us gifts that allow us to be useful, helpful, loving, and just with others. Help us make the most of our gifts. And if we already have something buried in the backyard, let today be the day we dig it back up and do our best with it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept.

But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut.

Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:1-13

I got stuck after Easter. I’m very grateful to the members of Faith who wrote daily devotions for the Easter season. It is much easier to send out devotions when someone else is writing them and what they all, all from their own hearts and points of view, were very good. Then, when I turned back to Matthew to pick up the story, I got stuck.

Then I got stuck in the hospital. I went through a major surgery that I didn’t see coming that really knocked the wind out of my sails. Like everyone else, it wasn’t the hours that I spent in surgery that was the problem, it was the weeks of recovery that I only foggily remember. But now I’m much better, back at work, and back at my computer first thing every morning.

I still found myself stuck on this opening story in the 25^th chapter of Matthew. I really don’t know what to make of it. I read it and I realize that weddings in the Bible are always significant and always a metaphor directed toward God. I have read about the multi-day nature of weddings in Jesus’ day but that doesn’t help. Because I can’t seem to get past those foolish bridesmaids who find themselves locked out of the wedding feast because they didn’t think to fill their lamps with oil.

All of my life I have heard people talk about the Christian faith in a way that makes it seem very logical, very biblical, to see life in such a way that is very OK with the idea that the wise get the goodies and the foolish get the shaft. Sorry, foolish bridesmaids, you don’t get to come in. Like the Titanic, this world is going down and the wise have hopped into the Jesus lifeboat while the foolish plunge into the sea. I am not OK with that. It is amazing grace that saves a wretch like me, not my own wisdom to keep my lamp filled with oil.

There is a way of reading this story that pours fuel on the fires of Christian entitlement, Christian privilege, and Christian arrogance. It is almost an anti-Christian story in that, in my mind, the Christian thing to do is to share my oil with those who don’t have enough, or to let them take my lamp and head to the party.

So I get stuck on this story (and those which follow) which Jesus told at a critical time in his life. Or, at least, which Matthew places in a strategic moment in Jesus’ life. The cross is just around the corner. The first will be last. All is not as it seems.

Let us pray: Keep us awake, Lord Jesus, even when we feel stuck in our ways of thinking, seeing, and being. Keep us awake and open, Lord Jesus, that we not miss your party nor content ourselves with the idea that it is OK that others do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Throughout the Easter Season, the daily devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church. Today’s writer is Zhen Zhou.

“From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When the arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20: 17-24

It seems as if I were sitting with the group of elders in front of Paul when reading this passage of Scripture, I can feel the fruit of the Holy Spirit – joy and long-suffering, from the bottom of his heart through his words. Because Paul had met the resurrected Jesus and had strong faith that the judgment of God and the kingdom of God would eventually come, he could discern and enjoy the joy from sufferings in the real world.

Joy does not mean feeling happy all the time or with everything, on the contrary, suffering and pain often accompany with us for most of the time and contribute to achieve the final joy. Then, what can we do? The answer is – What would Jesus do?

Since we could find guidelines in God’s words through the Holy Bible, we need to confess and focus on refreshing ourselves, and do everything under the guidance of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. At the same time, pray for others and pray for the coming of the kingdom of God. Thus, others will notice the image of God inside you and they will be attracted by God. We will have fulfilled the way of delivering Gospel from God via both actions and words, just like Jesus Christ and Paul did two thousand years ago. Finally, we will gain more fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Let us Pray: Our heavenly father, please give us strength and courage to overcome each temptation and suffering. Give us wisdom while delivering your Gospel and love to the world. With your guidance, we’re filled with joy. In your name we pray, Amen!

Throughout the Easter Season, the daily devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church. Today’s writer is Jeff Jones.

“Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus.”   Acts 18:24-28

I picture Apollos as being the young, college grad type who goes around sharing his knowledge of the Messiah with the uneducated masses. Apollos was from Alexandria, which was the second largest city in the Roman Empire. Alexandria’s library was the largest in the world at the time. Before being destroyed by fire, it contained 700,000 scrolls. Apollos was an educated Jew. I suspect he had the equivalent of a masters degree. Because Apollos had the gift of eloquence, he could take old scriptures and breathe new life into them by articulating them so well.

As a scholar, I think Apollos found for himself what the scripture told of the coming Messiah. The suffering servant coming to bring redemption. It seems Apollos had ample credentials, passion and energy to be a missionary to the Jews.  He used the scriptures to prove Jesus Christ was the Messiah. Apollos spoke boldly in the synagogue, though he primarily knew only the baptism of John . When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more completely. While Priscilla and Aquila may have felt inferior, they never let the intellectual differences between them and Apollos prevent them from having a fuller understanding of God.

I believe everyone who hears and accepts the good news of Jesus Christ is qualified to share what they know with anyone. Christians should always maintain a teachable spirit. No matter how much formal education or experience one has, there is always something new to learn.

Let us pray: God, through your only-begotten Son, you have overcome death on this day and have opened unto us the gate of everlasting life. Bless us to pursue, with your aid, the good resolves you have inspired, and by your constant help make them eternally effective. Through the same Jesus Christ, your Son, who is living and reigning forever and ever. Amen.

Throughout the Easter Season, the daily devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church. Today’s writer is Brent Lamb.

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”

The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.

At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.” Acts 16:25-34

It is amazing how God’s timing can be so relevant in our lives.  Upon receiving a request to do an Easter devotional from John Vickery, we had just returned from visiting a falsely accused Faith Choir member in prison.  He also leads prayer with other prisoners as Paul and Silas were doing.  Unfortunately, there have not been any earthquakes in Teague, Texas to open all the doors of the Boyd Unit.

This passage is the story of a prison release, but more importantly, of the conversion of a jailer who asks what he must do to be saved.  Paul and Silas tell him to “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”  After cleaning their wounds, the jailer and his family were baptized and the jailer became a believer in God.  As we journey through the season of Easter, we look forward to our release through forgiveness with our resurrected Lord.

Let us pray: Our heavenly Father, thank you for our release from the prison of sin through your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Throughout the Easter Season, the daily devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church. Today’s writer is JoAnn Welton.

“The apostles and the elders met together to consider the matter.  After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers.  And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us. 

Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither out ancestors nor we have been able to bear?  On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” Acts 15:6-11

Each day in the news or on social media, there always seems to be someone, or some group that feels that they are better than another – a “them vs. us” world. This was also true in the early days of the Christian church, when Gentiles were being actively converted to the Christian faith.

In this chapter of Acts, a certain group from Antioch was trying to impose rules that would make it difficult for Gentiles to join the church. They argued that Gentiles could not become Christians unless they accepted certain Jewish laws, such as circumcision.  So Paul and Barnabas, and other believers, were sent to Jerusalem, to remind the elders of God’s promise, to make disciples of all people.  “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are”.

Paul and Barnabas told them of the signs and wonders that God had done among the Gentiles, declaring it as proof of God’s love and acceptance. In a world which often seems filled with negative forces that seek to divide us, let us always remember the all-inclusive strength and power of God’s love and mercy.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, never let us forget that we are all God’s children.  Help us to reach out and embrace all people, sharing the message of love that comes from the Holy Spirit and our dear Savior, Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Throughout the Easter Season, the daily devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church. Today’s writer is Helen Watson.

“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. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:39-43

Earlier in Acts 10, we read that Peter and the centurion Cornelius had prayed and received visions. Because they both took action (praying, listening, acting on the visions), then Peter had the opportunity to tell Cornelius and his family and friends what he had seen and heard. Peter was an eye witness, and he tells of Jesus’s healing acts, His suffering, resurrection, and His appearances to the disciples. Peter tells of being commanded by Jesus to testify that everyone may receive forgiveness of sins through His name.

Cornelius’s group is familiar with the words of the prophets, and now they hear that those prophecies are fulfilled. What a powerful new message Peter has for them, that by believing in Jesus they receive forgiveness in His name.

Fast forward to now, most people we encounter in our daily lives have already heard of Jesus in some way. But what have they actually seen and heard from the world about Jesus? What have they seen or heard from me?

I am reminded of the song lyrics – “this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” I can practice kindness and service with those that God puts in my path. The sharing of my faith in words is harder to do. I can pray for boldness on that.

Let us pray: Dear God, thank you for the message of forgiveness we can share. Help us to be a blessing to others. Give us courage to share our faith story with those You send our way. Amen.

Throughout the Easter Season, the daily devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church. Today’s writer is Eric Lerch.

“Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.” Acts 10:30-33

“Your prayer has been heard.” If only we had an angel appear to us and confirm that God was indeed listening every time we bring our struggles and sorrows. Unfortunately, precious few of us have been blessed with such a clear sign of God’s presence as Cornelius was in this passage. Often, the most challenging times of our lives are those moments when God just doesn’t seem to hear us.

Our need to be assured of God receiving our petitions is ingrained in our liturgy when we ask “Lord, hear our prayers.” But how do we know that our prayers have been heard?

In the larger context of this story in Acts, a small community of believers, Peter and some other Jewish Christians, meet Cornelius and his Gentile associates in fellowship. The Holy Spirit comes and unites this diverse group of people in faith in Jesus in response to Cornelius’s prayers. How many times has an answer to your prayers come in the form of God sending a fellow believer to comfort and console you in your time of need? In Christian community, God provides us the answers that the world fails to give.

Let us pray: Dear Lord, Thank you for hearing our prayers, and thank you for sending people into our lives in response to our supplications. Help us to tell others about the ways in which you have made a difference in our lives. Amen.

Throughout the Easter Season, the daily devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church. Today’s writer is Michael Farner.

“The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa accompanied him. The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshiped him. But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a mortal.”

 And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?” Acts 10:23b-29

This passage clearly builds off of the message of “tell them what you saw.” In the text, Peter travels to another land to meet a gentile who had called for him. As the text highlights, during this time it would have been unlawful for a Jew like Peter to associate with a gentile like Cornelius. However, Peter lived his life as Jesus had shown and commanded.

Peter was not bound by the laws of men, rather he was bound by the will and the love of God. Peter lived his life as a testament to the Jesus he had come to know and love as a disciple. Peter lived his life to spread the good news, and to “tell others what he saw,” even when that meant associating with an “unclean gentile.”

This is how God calls us to live our lives. We are called to be examples of God’s radical love personified to the world. We are called to live our lives spreading the good news and telling everyone what we have seen. We do this by living out the love of God in our everyday lives, and Easter is as good a time as any to reflect on the selfless love of a father sending his son to die for the sins of the world. As such it is our mission to tell them what we have seen, and live our lives rejoicing.

Let us pray: Dear God, please help us to live out your example in our daily lives. Help us live as you would want, spending our lives spreading the good news of Jesus to everyone, not just where it is easy. Make us strong in faith and bless us in this Easter season. Amen

Throughout the Easter Season, the daily devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church. Today’s writer is Alex Dyson.

“Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate. They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there.

While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look, three men are searching for you. Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them.”

So Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?” They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging.” Acts 10:17-23a

The timing of Peter’s visions in Acts 10 are of incredible importance. At the time, Jews were prohibited by law from associating with Gentiles. If it wasn’t for the vision and instructions to leave with the strangers, Peter may have allowed prejudice or fear to control him. Instead, Peter obeyed, and the house of Cornelius was baptized after hearing of the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

God’s timing is perfect. God provides us with the lessons, experiences, or hardships that we need to grow. God puts us in front of the right people at the right time to either give or receive what is needed. Our purpose at that moment may vary. We may be called to share the news of God’s grace, provide a helping hand for someone in need, or to just hear what someone has to say at that particular moment. No matter what God is calling us to do, that purpose is always significant in ways we may never understand. God knows what we need and when we need it.

So, we must remain open-minded to what God wants from us. We must recognize the gifts and opportunities God has provided us. Have faith and step out of your comfort zone. Do not let your opinions or fears prevent you from sharing or receiving what God has planned. God has not made one person all-knowing or gifted enough to survive alone. We are all children of God, and we need each other.

Let us pray: Father, please help us make the most of the opportunities and gifts you have given us. Give us the strength to be courageous in doing your work and unbiased in sharing your grace and love with others. Amen.