Daily Devotions

During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s writer is Terri Schlather.

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home.

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” John 11:17-27

Every time I’ve read or heard this passage from John, the focus has always been the proclamation by Jesus. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25).

It’s an important part of our faith to understand what faith can do, but the part of this story that gets less airtime is that of grief.

Martha and Mary told Jesus that Lazarus was sick in hope that he would save him, but four days after his death, Lazarus was beyond saving and they began to grieve. Even in grief, when asked if she believes, Martha replies, “Yes, Lord.”

How often have we asked ourselves why bad things happen to good people? Martha and Mary were grieving. Something bad had happened to them. Lazarus had died while they were waiting for Jesus to come. They had no hope, despite their faith, but Jesus challenges Martha’s faith and she responds that she believes.

It is that faith in which she must trust Jesus and push through the grief to know that he who believes will live.

When life is hard, challenges are raised up, and things seem bleak, we wonder what happened. Yet, how often is our faith strengthened in these times? How often during trials do we finally lean on God, finally remember that he is in control and not us, finally turn to our Father, and grow in our belief?

Overcoming challenges, tribulations, and grief in our life isn’t about solving the problem or forgetting the problem, it’s about remembering what we believe and who is leading our life…and it’s certainly not us.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, I often forget that you are in charge of my life and that I am not. Help me to trust in my faith and trust in you as I go about my day. Help me to remember that my salvation is not found in the things I do or the successes I have, but in my faith in you. Thank you for loving me as your child and giving your son to save me. Amen.

During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s writer is Terry Amundson.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.” John 10:11-18

“The good shepherd”, what a comforting image that portrays. God loves us unconditionally. He loves us not because it is his job, but because we are his children.

I cannot help but think about the love I have for my three daughters and five grandchildren. This love exists no matter the challenges that are presented or the daily tasks to be accomplished. I love my daughters and grandchildren, not because it is my job as a mother and grandmother, but because they are mine.

Just as Jesus ran to his flock when the wolf came, we, as parents and grandparents, run to our children and grandchildren in their time of need.

God also spoke of loving people that are ‘not of our fold’. We are taught to love God and to love our neighbor. This is the hard part. I love my children and grandchildren, but can I always love my neighbor?

As Christians, we are called to evangelize and spread the Gospel. What could be a better way to do so than to love others? We are reminded that the love of God is eternal. We are called to love others as he loves us. God loves all of his sheep.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help us all to be good shepherds in our daily lives. Help us to live by your example. Help us to love others as you love us! May you be a constant reminder of how you gave your life for us so that we can be forgiven and follow you all the days of our lives. Amen.

During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s writer is Jim Richman.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Then the Pharisees said to him, “You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.”

Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.”

Then they said to him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. John 8:12-20

Light and darkness, in the time of Jesus, was understood to be what time of day it was. To attach meaning to the words “light” and “dark” had to be confusing to the people Jesus taught.

When Jesus is talking and teaching about the light of the world, he is trying to explain his position, to make a drastic comparison between what God had sent him to accomplish and what the Pharisees understood about being in the light.

Jesus said, “…whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life, Jesus was searching for a way to make the people see that God had sent his son to create a new way. To be a part of this new way, in the light, human beings had to love and respect one another.

This new way of life Jesus taught would be a guide to follow, but you had to have the faith and understanding in Jesus first.

Another question that Jesus had to explain is, where is your father? The Pharisees asked this to disgrace Jesus, so they said, “do you have a witness to prove that God is your father and that he sent you?” Jesus reminds them that to know the father is to know Him.

Jesus’ task is difficult, he again had to make a point that God had sent him to change the world so that all of mankind would be able to see the light Jesus taught.

Let us pray: Jesus, in today’s world we strive to live in Gods light and spirit, but often fall. So many choose darkness by living in despair, sin, and don’t see any light. God let us be the light, let us carry your message of hope to the world, and be with us. Amen.

During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s writer is Tom Dorman.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.” John 6:35-40

So is Jesus the bread of life?

Until this point in the chapter, it is the crowd who has been engaged with Jesus. What does Jesus mean by proclaiming himself “the bread of life”?

It’s simple, Jesus means that he is the source of eternal life for the world, that’s pretty straightforwardly put in later verses 47-48.

However, if the meaning were only this simple, Jesus probably would see little reason to say it.

Jesus’ opening “I am” of being the bread of life is made to remind us that he is the source of life. That adds meaning since Jesus is the sustainer, the healer, and the bringer of life.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, open our hearts to the everyday miracles in our lives, especially when it is difficult to believe. Give us strength for what comes, and use us for good, that we too may carry your story forward. Amen.

During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s writer is Heather Daoust.

“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.

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” John 3:16-21

“John 3:16” … You see it plastered on billboards and written in sharpie marker on flimsy poster board at football games. You see it colorfully displayed as graffiti on bridges. You hear it in catchy country songs.

John 3:16 is IT. It represents the whole theme of the Bible, right? And the message is simple: God gave up his only son, so that you could have eternal life; all you have to do is believe. Simple. Well, maybe not.

Yes, God’s grace is for everyone, and He loves all who believe, but if you keep reading, Jesus is asking for more than just belief. He is asking for exposure: “But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God”.

Believing is something we can do with ease, but exposure is much more difficult.

When you expose your body, you might feel shame or embarrassment. You might be revealing flaws and insecurities. When a journalist writes an exposé, he reveals secrets that may lead to condemnation or judgment. Exposure is often viewed negatively due to the shame associated with it.

So, when Jesus asks us to come into the light and expose all we’ve done, it can be uncomfortable. You are being asked to reveal your whole self to God, flaws and evil deeds included, so that you can feel the unconditional love and forgiveness that has been gifted to you.

Although many see John 3:16 as a simple summary of the sacrifice our Father has made in return for your faith and fidelity, I believe this passage is asking more of you.

Can you reveal your true self to God? Can you trust in his unconditional love for you? Can you face God and ask for forgiveness for those deeds that have caused you the most shame? Step into the light. He will be there.

Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I confess to having flaws and doubts. I wish to reveal myself to you and come into the light as Jesus has taught us. Amen.

During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s writer is Dave Gohlke.

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:1-7

In the wilderness we call life, it’s not hard to see ourselves as one of the flock, one of the 99 sheep, who mill about, stay with the herd, and go along and get along. We work, we go to school, we live with our families or alone, but in community with others, we come to church and participate in activities as members of Faith.

Maybe we feel confident and assured, maybe we believe we have it together most of the time, or maybe we wander, we stray from the herd, and we are less attentive to others than God wants us to be.

This parable tells us directly of God’s great love for us, an everlasting love, a deep, caring, and protective love. A love that sent an only son to live with us and die for us and be our Good Shepherd. A son to search the wilderness for us, to find us, to carry us safely back to the fold, and to rejoice over us with all the host of heaven at our return.

No matter how far we wander, how thick are the brambles of life that ensnare us, Jesus is relentless in his search for us and his love for us.

I have a tendency to see myself as one of the 99, comfortable in the flock, doing OK. But really I am the lost sheep, wandering away, always in need of God’s searching, loving protection, always in need of being carried back over His shoulders to be rejoined with the Body of Christ.

Each of us is the lost sheep, straying away, becoming separated and lost, and needing to be searched for and found and carried back on the strong, loving shoulders of Jesus Christ, back to repentance, back to the fold, back into community with our sisters and brothers.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for always loving us, for searching for us until we are found, for leading us to repentance, and for rejoicing with all of heaven when we are restored to your kingdom. In the name of your Son, the Good Shepherd, Amen.

During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s writer is Bridget Kennedy.

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”

Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’

So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.” Luke 12:13-21

Jesus is in the middle of encouraging his disciples to confess even when they are under duress, when he is interrupted by someone in the crowd who wants Jesus to settle a financial dispute between siblings.

Jesus, however, refuses to enter into the family squabble and instead uses the situation as an opportunity to teach about the seduction of wealth.

Most of us have at some point bought into the belief that if we can just earn, make, or buy a little more, then we will be okay. Things will be good, but when the new car, or laptop, or sneakers fail to transform our circumstances it hurts.

Nevertheless, the false promise that we can meet our deepest needs materially has been embedded so deeply in our culture that all too often our response to disappointment with material goods is to shop some more.

Rarely have I spoken with friends after a mission-trip to a materially poorer part of the world and not heard testimony to the humbling generosity of their native hosts.

Money is often the cultural elephant in the room. So what are we to do?

All I know is that everything is a gift offered by God. It’s hard to find the balance in getting stuff and being generous, but it’s important. I hope that we place our relative wealth in perspective and be more generous with it toward others.

Let us pray: God, help us remember that life is not about the money we make or the things we own in the end. Help us be generous. Grant us peace with what we have. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s writer is Alexandria DeCuire.

Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him.

He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down.

The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:14-21

Do you know someone who enlisted into the Military, went off to boot camp, and came home a completely changed person? They may have sounded different, looked physically different, and even smelled different than before they left, but it’s still the same person. It may have taken a few seconds for you to adjust, but eventually you realized that the soldier standing in front of you has changed for the best.

I can only imagine how it felt for the people of Nazareth to see Jesus for the first time after such a transformation. They saw Jesus grow up right before their eyes and now he is Jesus Christ, the one who came to heal, deliver, and set the captives free. This is good news!

We may have been one way beforehand, but when we accepted Christ into our hearts, we transformed like Paul said “…by the renewing of our mind.” (Roman 12:2). Much like the act of a baptism, there should also be an outward reflection of an inward change in how we carry ourselves as we see from Jesus, through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

So as Christians, those around us should indeed see a change as we reflect Christ’s love for us every day.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, I thank you for transforming me today by the renewing of my mind. Continue to show me how to be a reflection of your Son and allow my change to bless those around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s writer is Alexandria DeCuire.

Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him.

He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down.

The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:14-21

Do you know someone who enlisted into the Military, went off to boot camp, and came home a completely changed person? They may have sounded different, looked physically different, and even smelled different than before they left, but it’s still the same person. It may have taken a few seconds for you to adjust, but eventually you realized that the soldier standing in front of you has changed for the best.

I can only imagine how it felt for the people of Nazareth to see Jesus for the first time after such a transformation. They saw Jesus grow up right before their eyes and now he is Jesus Christ, the one who came to heal, deliver, and set the captives free. This is good news!

We may have been one way beforehand, but when we accepted Christ into our hearts, we transformed like Paul said “…by the renewing of our mind.” (Roman 12:2). Much like the act of a baptism, there should also be an outward reflection of an inward change in how we carry ourselves as we see from Jesus, through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

So as Christians, those around us should indeed see a change as we reflect Christ’s love for us every day.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, I thank you for transforming me today by the renewing of my mind. Continue to show me how to be a reflection of your Son and allow my change to bless those around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s writer is Doug and Karen Elsen.

And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.”

Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.”

Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” Luke 3:10-14

We detect a sense of urgency in the questions put to John and no wonder. He has just issued a stern warning to the crowds that have come to hear him in the wilderness:  the judgment is at hand, “the ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 3:10).

It is useless to claim their heritage as “Sons of Abraham,” they must produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

The crowds who have come to hear John include: common people, tax collectors, and soldiers. Where do we find ourselves in this group? And what does it mean to repent?

Clearly, John’s listeners understood that action was required. It was not enough to feel remorse for things they might have done in the past. A different way of living was required if they were to produce good fruit.

So are we among the common people? Those who have enough and maybe a little bit more who must share what we have with those who have less rather than cling to what we have and who we are with a sense of entitlement?

Are we among the tax collectors? Those who are in a position to enrich ourselves at the expense of others with no regard for their needs? Those who must not be greedy and take in as much as we can while we are able for fear the day will come when we will be unable to care for ourselves?

Are we in a position of power and authority like the soldiers who can make life difficult for others or even destroy them with our words and deeds?

Or are we all of them? Blessed with more than we deserve or need, capable of choosing to live with integrity or greed, able to build up or destroy?

John would say to us, “Bear good fruit.” Produce good fruit no matter who you are, where you find yourself, and in what circumstances. Look around you. Assess your blessings, be content with what you have, and share all that you are able.  In this way, we prepare the way of the Lord and make ready for his coming.

Let us pray: Lord, you have blessed us with all we have. Help us to use what you graciously bestow on us to bless others and to point the way to you, Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Lord. Amen.