Daily Devotions

Throughout the season of Lent our daily devotions have been written by members of the Faith Lutheran community. Our theme this Lent is “Jesus Our Healer.” Today’s devotion comes from Jasmine Gabriel.

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah

that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Psalm 67:1-3

I have always been blown away because of Gods over protecting, never escaping love. The fact that he shines through people’s eyes that have committed dreadful sin and lights up places where God is unknown simply amazes me. His blessings over shine all of the pain that we may have.

This is meaningful to me because Jesus gives everybody a place at his table, even those from all other denominations, whether baptized or not. The will of our Lord is judgment free, he loves killers just as he loves us and gives them a place at the table just as he gives us.

This concept gives me trust in God, as well as helps me understand and interpret the fact that when he says our sins are forgiven … they truly are. If he can bring those who have committed unjustifiable sin to his table, he can bring anybody. With that being said who am I to compare another’s sin to my own?

God gives each and every one of us a sense of belonging and fills our hearts in ways that otherwise can’t be filled.

Let us pray: God please fill our hearts with gifts of love, and help us to share your love to whom your love is a stranger. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Throughout the season of Lent our daily devotions have been written by members of the Faith Lutheran community. Our theme this Lent is “Jesus Our Healer.” Today’s devotion comes from Alan Balius.

They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Can you see anything?” And the man looked up and said, “I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.”

Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Then he sent him away to his home, saying, “Do not even go into the village.” Mark 8:22-26

“I can’t see the forest for the trees.” I admit that I often miss the big picture because my evaluation is too close, too critical. But what if someone admits, “I can see people, but they look like trees, walking?”

Whenever we have our eyes fitted for new lenses, the optometrist asks, “Which is better? One or two? Three or four?” Eventually, the right lens is identified. The blind man wasn’t expecting an eye exam, but Jesus asked him, “Can you see anything?” He replied that he couldn’t see clearly, so Jesus’ second treatment, “Which is better?” ensured that he could indeed see “everything clearly.”

Perhaps, like me, you wear “monovision” contact lenses; one is for close vision, the other for far. If only one is worn, it’s very difficult to see. When both are worn, one can see “everything clearly,” near and far. It can take a while to get used to this prescription before “whole” vision is attained.

Jesus gives us wholeness, “shalom,” in healing us. Wholeness means that it’s not enough to see, hear, or understand the Good News in part. God wants us to see the whole picture of Good News so that others will, too.

Let us pray, “Oh, Lord, haste the day, when my faith shall be sight.” Help us, like the hymn-writer Horatio Spafford, and like the man given sight in Bethsaida, to seek healing and wholeness in all of our relationships—with you, with family, friends, and those who are not yet here with us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Throughout the season of Lent our daily devotions have been written by members of the Faith Lutheran community. Our theme this Lent is “Jesus Our Healer.” Today’s devotion comes from Joye Roll.

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

This is the only miracle recorded in the scriptures where Jesus did not speak or display any action. This miracle is recorded in three of the Gospels. It must be important. What does it mean for us?

Illness is the great interrupter of life. It changes everything as we see in the life of this woman. She’s desperate. She’s tried everything. She has no hope.   Her life is slipping away. However, one touch of her hand to the hem of Jesus’ garment gives her new life. She is instantly healed. She tries to sneak away, silent about her miracle. Jesus stops her although He knows who she is. He blesses her by calling her “daughter” and giving her peace, something she has not felt for 12 years.   Her healing is truly a miracle!

I work and volunteer at M. D. Anderson where healing can be seen on a daily basis. Healing comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s a celebratory physical healing like this woman’s. Sometimes healing is hope in a new drug or protocol. Sometimes healing comes through death. Everyday Jesus is still healing. We, too, can reach out and touch Jesus and be given new life!

Let us pray: Great Healer, stop for us as you did for that woman many years ago. Help us to remember that we can reach out and touch you for healing and new life. Grant your wondrous peace to all those who suffer. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Throughout the season of Lent our daily devotions have been written by members of the Faith Lutheran community. Our theme this Lent is “Jesus Our Healer.” Today’s devotion comes from Jan Zunker.

A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter. Mark 1:40-45

Earlier Mark records that “everyone was searching for Jesus” and “the whole city was gathered together and Jesus healed many who were sick with various diseases”. The leper had obviously heard this good news and he comes and humbly kneels before Jesus saying “if you will, you can make me clean”. The leper had faith that Jesus could heal him if he would but he was also aware that he might not.

Leprosy was a dreaded disease that rendered one unclean and untouchable. Those who had leprosy were forbidden to come into the presence of others to avoid defiling others by their touch. This kept them isolated and separated from others in the community. It is probable that this man had not felt the loving comforting touch of another for a long time.

Jesus casts aside all of the social taboos surrounding leprosy and casts aside his own concerns about defiling himself. He reached out and touched him with his loving hand and immediately he was made clean and restored.

This healing is a reminder that we cannot put up man-made boundaries or limits around the mercy of Jesus. Jesus sternly charged the leper to say nothing to anyone until he first went to the priests who would issue a certificate in writing to certify that he was indeed healed. This would allow him to rejoin the community. He could not contain his excitement and he went about sharing the good news freely and the word began to spread rapidly.

This healing was a sign that Jesus had come into the world to restore all creation to wholeness. It pointed to a time when there would be no sin, suffering and death that would keep us separated from the love of God and others.

There are many who still suffer today and we know all too well the devastating effects of any number of diseases. We hold fast to our faith and hope that nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God, which is ours through Christ Jesus, our Lord. When God looks into our eyes he sees us through the eyes of the loving compassionate grace of Jesus.

Let us pray: Gracious God, We pray that you will send your healing grace and mercy to all those who are sick. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Throughout the season of Lent our daily devotions have been written by members of the Faith Lutheran community. Our theme this Lent is “Jesus Our Healer.” Today’s devotion comes from Ida Medlin.

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. Mark 1:29-31

To whom do we go for reliable information and reasonable answers to our personal dilemmas? In this narrative, the disciples quickly sought out Jesus who immediately healed this woman and enabled her to resume her appointed role in her family.

Today, astounding breakthroughs in medical technology and miracle drugs are coupled with sobering caveats or disturbing side effects. There are no dangerous side effects with Jesus! Jesus, a man of action, did not hesitate to help this woman, yet at times, we wait till the last minute to seek his council. Is it our mindset that “God helps those who help themselves” or that our problems are too insignificant to warrant his attention?

We often hear people say: “we tried everything and nothing worked, so all we can do now is pray.”

The hymn: “Borning Cry” says it all: “I was there to hear your borning cry, I’ll be there when you are old… When the evening gently closes in and you shut your weary eyes, I’ll be there as I have always been, with just one more surprise.”

God, through Jesus, is our blessed sanctuary, the only constant in this world; our infinite source of strength, security, wisdom and peace. Follow the disciples’ lead and ask for God’s help, first!

Let us pray: Blessed Savior, remind us to include you in every facet of our lives for you were with us at our beginning and will shepherd us to the end. You are the Alpha and Omega, timeless, unchanging and enduring and will never leave us comfortless. Amen.

Throughout the season of Lent our daily devotions have been written by members of the Faith Lutheran community. Our theme this Lent is “Jesus Our Healer.” Today’s devotion comes from Paul Baerenwald.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—

who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5

It always seems easier to criticize than praise; to complain about what we don’t have than to give thanks for what we have. How often do we thank and praise God for all He gives us? Here we are reminded of all that God does for us and are urged to thank and praise Him.

Number One on the list? We are forgiven! God is merciful and forgiving. We are redeemed from the pit of hell. The psalm reminds us that He doesn’t just forgive some of our sins, or sometimes – He forgives ALL!

He heals our diseases. When we are sick and recover, God was with us. But we remain mindful that although sickness and disease may ultimately take their toll on this mortal life, God’s ultimate healing comes when we are raised to be with Him when this temporary life ends and our infinite life begins.

God provides the ultimate healing. He satisfies us with good. We need nothing else. Our reward is not here, but with our heavenly Father. He has prepared a place for us where we will have what we need and can soar like an eagle. We will have immortal youth.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help us to be ever mindful of all the blessings that you bestow upon us. Let us not be critical or complaining about what we think we want or need, but instead help us to remember your forgiveness, your mercy, your healing, your love. We bless your holy name! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Throughout the season of Lent our daily devotions have been written by members of the Faith Lutheran community. Our theme this Lent is “Jesus Our Healer.” Today’s devotion comes from Wes Daoust.

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” 

Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Mark 10:17-22

This Bible reading reminds us that we shouldn’t take advantage of what we have. Just as we think we have everything, it does not mean that we do. Eternal life cannot be bought, but rather given as free gift.

One of the great things in life is to give to others and to spread our wealth and see the joy on their faces. There is always somebody out there that needs it more than you do. Spreading your wealth does not necessarily mean money, but rather a talent that you have.

Every person is talented in different ways and can help the church and/or the world by using their training, education, and natural gifts. It takes everybody and their individual gifts to make the church / world function, not just a few people.

This reminds me of Pastor Kerry’s lesson on membership and discipleship. A member becomes a disciple when he shares his gifts with others, despite personal sacrifices, to make this a better church for all of us and to make this world a better place to live.
Let us pray: Dear Lord, thank you for all that you do for me. I feel very blessed for all that I have in my life. Thank you for letting me find the ways to share my talents with the church and the world. In your name we pray, Amen.

Throughout the season of Lent our daily devotions have been written by members of the Faith Lutheran community. Our theme this Lent is “Jesus Our Healer.” Today’s devotion comes from Brian Taylor.

When he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about the parable. He said to them, “Then do you also fail to understand? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the stomach, and goes out into the sewer?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “It is what comes out of a person that defiles. For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:17-23

We can only be defiled by what comes from our hearts. Thank goodness God loves us. He knows we have sinful hearts, but he forgives us and blesses us with tools which can help us avoid our sinful thoughts and actions.

Our tools are our faith in God, God’s Word, our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and regular thoughtful prayer. We can all be better at using these tools that God has given us.

Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to live my life in ways which please you. I know I can’t do this on my own. Thank you for my faith and providing me with tools which help me maintain a clean heart. In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Throughout the season of Lent our daily devotions have been written by members of the Faith Lutheran community. Our theme this Lent is “Jesus Our Healer.” Today’s devotion comes from Joann Welton.

One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” Mark 2:23-28

The Pharisees were the elite liberal Jewish power group of their day. They believed their mission was to uphold the man-made rules of the synagogue regarding the Sabbath. Enter Jesus (who was described as a Pharisee), he often hung with the “wrong” crowd (sinners) and stressed God’s love and forgiveness, over the established rules of the day. Therefore, it is not surprising that he was perceived as a threat, by the self-righteous rule followers.

In today’s world, with our Tweets and You Tube, seemingly trivial events, like the eating of a shaft of wheat on the Sabbath, can polarize the world.   Jesus reminds us to use common sense, be tolerant of others, and not overact to unnecessary man-made rules. The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. God’s love and compassion is our salvation and his son Jesus, is truly the lord of the Sabbath.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, bless this troubled world and help us to become more tolerant and accepting of others and their beliefs. Guide our leaders so they make thoughtful and just decisions that transform our world into the place of harmony and peace we all desire. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Throughout the season of Lent our daily devotions have been written by members of the Faith Lutheran community. Our theme this Lent is “Jesus Our Healer.” Today’s devotion comes from Melinda McGouldnick.

And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” Mark 2:15-17

Jesus outrages His critics by calling Levi (aka Matthew) the tax collector, to follow Him, then eats with a houseful of equally “defiled” people . Entering a Gentile’s house brought uncleanliness to a Jewish person, which made it impossible for that person to participate in the Passover.

Jesus was showing by example that there was to be a new standard of holiness based on faithfulness and mercy rather than ceremonial law. He did this to prepare the way for people of all nations to enter God’s kingdom. This story invites you to consider “Am I more like the ‘sinners’ of this story or like those who criticize Jesus’ openness to be with the unworthy?”

Either way, you have something to reconsider as we seek to learn by Jesus’ example. Thankfully, Jesus brings healing and forgiveness to all, even sinners and the judgmental.

Let us pray: Lord, help me to refrain from passing judgment and to be open to and accepting to the possibility of the power of grace for all. Amen