Daily Devotions

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

“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:15-20

From my experience, forgiveness is the aspect of Jesus’ ministry that we humans have the most trouble following. It is part of our human nature; when someone wrongs us, we want to get them back, and make them feel how they made us feel.

There is a romanticized sense of righteousness about revenge, the feeling of a debt repaid, and a wrong made right.

We love stories about someone enacting revenge on a cheating spouse or the boss who wrongly fired them. Sports hypes up the revenge game, when a star athlete travels back to play the team that cut them.

We lift up revenge as a shining example of justice, and the people who forgive and turn the other cheek are often ignored or seen as weak or foolish. Yet, these are precisely the people Jesus wants us to be.

Jesus never asked for a revenge game or a chance to settle the score as he hung dying on the cross. Rather, he cried “father forgive them, they know not what they do.” Forgive them. It’s a thought that doesn’t come naturally, and something we would rather not follow or even think about. Yet, it is what Jesus calls us to do.

Forgiveness is righteous, and it takes far more strength to let go, than to get even. Your boss fired you? Pray for him and his company on the way out. You found your partner cheating on you? Pray that they find happiness and that this new person fulfills them.

It is ok to be hurt when someone wrongs you, but the only way you heal is if you let go. That takes forgiveness, which is why Jesus calls us to forgive, not just seven times, but as many as 70 times 7.

Let us pray: Dear God, Please help us learn to forgive, even when society tells us the best thing to do is get even. Grant us patience and understanding, and help us act out of love and kindness rather than hate and anger. Grant us peace, and give us more forgiveness then we think we need. In your name we pray, Amen.

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

From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? Matthew 16:21-26

Most of us love earthly things: delicious food, a well-appointed wardrobe, trips to places unseen, comfortable homes with helpful conveniences.

Do we love these so much that we go to great lengths to attain them?

To gain the world means to possess it as our own – all its riches, its honors, and its pleasures.

“To lose his own soul” means to be cast away, to be shut out from heaven, to be sent to hell.

Let us walk in the same way as Christ walked and be led by His spirit and follow in his steps. Let us be his disciples and seek to please Him in all that we do.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, gracious and loving God, send your Spirit to lead me in this earthly life. Help me to grow in discipline daily as I try to live in the model you have given us. Do continue to hold my hand and redirect me when I wander. I ask this in your name, Amen.

During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s writers are the Lerch family.

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying:

“Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!” Matthew 13:1-9

As the crowds gathered to listen to Jesus, we can see his power to communicate the most profound spiritual messages using the most basic of everyday images. In the largely oral culture of 1st century Palestine, stories like this were a way of life stretching back for centuries as a means to pass down cultural values and beliefs from generation to generation. One did not need to be a farmer to understand the basics of plant life.

Yet, immediately following these words, Jesus’ disciples began to question him about what these figures meant.

We are the beneficiaries of the disciples’ slowness to catch on, for this is one of only a few parables in the Gospels where Jesus explains the meaning. While Jesus’ explanation of this parable has traditionally been read to refer to different types of people, perhaps it is instructive to see the various soils as different moments in each Christian’s faith journey.

We all have times where we hear the Word, but fail to respond to its call. We all have instances where our good intentions fall to pieces in the blinding face of reality. We all follow dead ends seeking the vain riches of this world. Despite these many failures, God still uses us, the broken sinners, to make a difference in the lives of our fellow pilgrims. Some efforts bear more fruit than others, but faith gives us the assurance that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.”

What can we do to prepare the soil of our hearts to receive God’s Word so that it brings forth a bountiful crop? Jesus begins and ends the parable with same word: Listen! May we open our ears to hear what opportunities God has to share His love with others today.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessings of your Word that you sow upon our hearts. Cultivate in us the spirit that will allow these seeds to bear fruit in the lives of those you have called us to serve. In your Son’s holy name, Amen.

During the season of Lent our devotions have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Today’s writers are Jon and Nancy Holmes.

Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” Matthew 9:14-17

This verse made us think a lot. What did it actually mean? And more importantly, what did it mean to us? We think it was about thinking differently.

The old covenant from God was about following the law. John the Baptist’s message was focused on the law. When you look at God’s law, you realize how far short you fall from it and how badly you need to repent. That is the way we were raised. “It is never wrong to do the right thing!” We would go to church, and that is what we were supposed to do.

When we got married and were ready to start a family, we joined Faith Lutheran Church. That seemed like the right thing to do. Then with life’s experiences and maturity, we realized there was more to it than just doing the right thing. That is what this verse is about.

Trusting in the new covenant and realizing the prophecy was the “truth”. Jesus did not come to patch up the old religious system and get everyone back on track to follow the law. His purpose was to bring something new.

This new message, the gospel, was to offer all people forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God. The Gospel did not just follow the rituals. It was a fresh start.

When we follow Christ, we must be prepared for new ways to live, new ways to look at people, and new ways to serve. Now it is not about just going to church on Sunday and trying “to do the right thing”. It is about trying to follow Jesus and serve him. In following, we do the right thing.

Let us pray: Thank you God for sending your Son to give us a fresh start. Help us to keep our heart open to listening to new things that honor your name. Help us to do the right thing by following you and your word. In your name, In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:38-42

To read these verses without a bit of context, would have most people thinking that in today’s world, that Christians are doormats, fools, or just naïve. It is not natural for us to allow others to take advantage. We can’t take care of everyone and we are not perfect like Jesus.

To put this in context with the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, will help us figure out what to do with this today.

Jesus set the stage earlier in Matthew chapter five with the Beatitudes. Here, Jesus reminds us of our vertical relationship with God, in which his perfect love is with us forever.

In our “horizontal” worldly lives, this same example of love without limits gives us a glimpse of the way he is asking us to live. We are to serve or neighbor without limits, because we are blessed with God’s grace and love.

Jesus meant what he said. These words are binding, even for us, but we know that in understanding the intent of God’s law, we can translate this into ways to live today.

For example, Jesus is not suggesting that we teach our kids to let them be bullied. He is suggesting is that we teach our kids not to bully, and more importantly to help others who are suffering at the hands of bullies. Jesus is not trying to prevent us from defending or protecting ourselves!

He gives us these words after having already re-assured us that we are blessed and Christ has come to fulfill this law in our place. On the cross, Christ becomes the ultimate doormat, and does not keep score. Jesus shows us we are free to love without limits in our daily lives as we are blessed with his grace.

Let us pray: Dear Lord, today, please help us to ignore insults, to not seek revenge, to forgive and forget. Remind us always to pray for sinners, pray for our enemies, and to love others without limits. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16

In this scripture, we see Jesus really getting upset with his disciples who want to prevent him from holding and blessing the children who were brought to him. Maybe they are trying to keep the crowds away from him or maybe they think that children are not as important as adults in those days, but the disciples are wrong.

Jesus wants to be with them because they belong to the kingdom of God.

When I think of children, I think of these words: sweet, pure, honest, trusting, humble, playful, and loving. Woe to adulthood. We spend our entire lives growing out of childhood and away from possessing the very qualities Jesus said we must have to “receive the Kingdom of God.”

As time goes on, we are exposed to sin and we do sin (sometimes). We are exposed to lies and untruths and learn to mistrust. We read about gangs, criminals, and terrorists of different races, colors, and religion and become hateful and discriminatory. We see the power of money and become greedy. We are compelled to work long hours to get ahead or promoted, and don’t leave enough time for play or prayer.

Unless we are very careful, we will soon become everything that a child is not. We know that Jesus is forgiving, but we must become strong in prayer and faith so we too, will be able to trust, love, and forgive everyone, every day, the way Bible teaches us.

Let us pray: Dear Jesus, please compel us to spend time with children, playing, loving, and praying with them. Let us watch them and learn from them. Let us not only show kindness to the children and youth that we encounter each day, but also our neighbors, our co-workers, and those that live in our communities. Let us pray that we do not lose all of our child-like qualities as we grow older. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.

He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. Mark 6:7-13

We can go about our daily lives and sometimes forget that we are Christians.

Jesus sent his disciples out with all they needed in order to bless those with whom they came into contact.

We are in contact with different people every day of our lives. Do we testify to those with whom we come into contact? Do we tell them of the Gospel of Jesus?

Why do we feel as though we are not equipped to do that daily? We have all we need to go into the world and deliver the words of Jesus.

If what we offer is not accepted or welcomed, we should not stop there. We should shake the dust off our feet and continue on casting out demons and anointing with oil. This is what we are called to do!

Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you with open hearts and arms that you give us the strength to go out into this world and bless everyone we come in contact with faith, hope, and love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.

Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” He looked all around to see who had done it.

But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” Mark 5:25-34

What a difficult life this poor women had, until she met and trusted in the healing power of Jesus. She had an illness that caused her to hemorrhage for 12 years and no doctors had been able to help her. Today, that would have been uncomfortable, but in Jesus’ day it was so much more – she was an outcast.

According to the laws of the day (Leviticus 15: 19-29), she was unclean and anyone or anything that she touched was unclean. Her life must have been terrible – so lonely.

So, it was out of desperation that she boldly reached out and touched Jesus hoping, beyond hope, that He could heal her.

Many people had no doubt touched Jesus’ robe on that day, but even Jesus understood that this was something special. So He stopped, listened to her story, and then confirmed that it was her faith that had made her well.

When our lives become overwhelming, we too need to stop, pray, and have faith, in Jesus’ ability to heal the broken places of our lives.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, Jesus is the healer of our souls. Help us to listen to our hearts and trust that no problem is too great, if we truly believe in Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him.

A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:35-41

We all live in a world of storms and tempests. Rain, wind, and flood can completely upset our lives. We experience these at home or work or even here at Faith.

The figurative storms in relationships, illness, or financial waves threaten to swamp our lives and distract us from Jesus. Stormy lives may obscure our faith.

Jesus asks why we are so timid. How is it that we have no faith?

We should pray for help when we are in distress. We should pray that the Holy Spirit restores our faith and brings stillness to the storm that we live in.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please quiet the wind and subdue the waves that threaten our stormy lives. Holy Spirit make us bold to pray for the stillness to listen for the healing words of the Gospel. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.”

 Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him. Mark 3:1-6

I have learned that in life we must make decisions that may be good or bad. Every action we take is both judged and ridiculed. This is especially the case for me.

As a high school senior, I’ve never had to make so many decisions in life. Not only which college to attend and Prom dates, but also who to eat lunch with so I maintain a positive social life. I also have to think about if I’m going to look weird trying a new hairstyle, whether or not I’m eating too much, or if my makeup is just right. Although you don’t have to be in high school to experience this anxiety.

We have expectations that we place on others which mirror our own insecurities. Phrases like “she only comes to church on Easter and Christmas”, “he’s always checking his phone during the service”, “she’s still wearing her wedding ring”, and “I can’t believe that’s how they raise their kids” are waiting and expecting mindsets.

We constantly wait for our peers to fumble so that we may ridicule and judge them, allowing us to soothe scorn of our own burdens. We endlessly expect others to do the same to us.

As a black female that comes from a non-affluent family, there are so many people that watch and expect me to be a role that society has constructed. If I am assertive, I am an angry black woman. If I speak without any grammatical errors, I am trying to be white.

How can I make decisions in life, when every possible choice leads to condemnation?

There may be certain traditions or rules set in aims to restrict us. People say that the church is dying, that the traditions, and customs aren’t the same. Yet, Jesus teaches us specifically that death is sometimes necessary so that we may have everlasting life. Christianity teaches us that we do not fear death, yet seek the ways in which we can make life better for those around us.

Let us pray: I pray that we me learn to accept ourselves for who we are. Humans that are capable of making mistakes and being completely imperfect. That we may do the right thing with care for only the eyes of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.