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 Lenora Ohlenbusch.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress;

he sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.

And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds with songs of joy. Psalm 107:19-22

In Psalm 107 David tells us that no matter what our problems are, we need to let God know what our needs are and He will take care of us. And we in turn must be thankful, recognize what He has done for us by giving ourselves and treasures joyfully and by doing so we are sharing with others. This, to me is saying, open yourself up to God, let Him know our concerns, questions and problems, He is there to help us work out the answers.

I could not read this passage from the Old Testament without seeing Jesus as he walked on earth fulfilling this promise. Jesus heals us and rescues us by dying on the cross. Now we give thanks for what He has done for us. We give of ourselves and tell the world what He has done and continues to do every day through our efforts.   The most important part of this passage is to be Thankful!

Let us pray: Dear God, Thank You for being there for us to bring our problems to and hearing us. Help us to never forget that You are there and that You sent us the Greatest Healer, Jesus Christ, since it is only through him that we are healed. Give us the open hearts and minds to recognize this and above all never let us forget to give thanks and tell of Your good works with songs of joy. 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 Roxy Funchess.

While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.

But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” Mark 14:3-9

How would you feel about this woman pouring perfume on Jesus’ head?  Would you agree with the chief priests and teachers of the law that she was wasting it?  Or would you realize, like Jesus did, that she was showing him love by giving him something precious to her; that she was showing him love by taking time from her life to share what she had with Jesus?  This was the best way in her eyes to show her love toward Jesus.

Jesus was always doing great things for people.  Here was a chance for him to be the receiver of love.  He allowed her to be the giver and therefore she was able to feel the joy of doing something special for someone else.

Do we seize the moment to show our love to others like this woman?  Or will we later regret the missed opportunity when our friends or family are gone?  Jesus reminds us that it’s important to take time to show our love to others–that it’s OK to not always do the most economical thing because this chance may not be here tomorrow.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help us remember to show love to those around us as they may not be here tomorrow.  Remind us to allow others to do things for us so they will feel the joy of giving as well. 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 Don Hodde.

Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.” He answered them, “You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him.

When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “If you are able! —All things can be done for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!” After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “This kind can come out only through prayer.” Mark 9:17-29

Wow! There is so much in this text, where does one start? Start by rereading the verses above. How is God speaking to you through these words?

For me, God is reminding me first and foremost, to trust Him in all things, because with God anything is possible. No if’s, and’s, or but’s. Sometimes our challenges seem so extreme! Physically, emotionally, the stress and pain seem too much to bear. Our faith runs weak. In these situations, Jesus says sometimes the only thing one can do is pray, because there is simply nothing we as humans can do overcome the burden ourselves.

Jesus taught us how to pray, many of us have been taught through life to pray, to trust God, to turn over our challenges to Him. Yet just as Jesus was clearly annoyed by the lack of faith in the people of his day, their willingness to trust Him, I imagine his confidence in us today is not much better. “How long am I to bear with you?” he tells the crowd. Don’t feel too bad; the disciples didn’t get it either!

Do you rely on God, through prayer? Sometimes that’s all you can do. And that will be enough.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we are taught to be independent, self-reliant, strong, courageous. But we are human. Many times those things just will not be enough. Give us the faith and confidence in You that we need to take our trials to you in prayer. “Help my unbelief”. Because You will always be enough. 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 Jim Rollinson.

When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” —he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:1-12

My Bible subtitles this section of Mark, “Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man.” That occurs in these verses, but I wonder if we might make a mistake in how we read that subtitle.

Jesus is presented with a paralyzed man, and instead of healing the man’s body, he forgives the man of his sins. In doing that, Jesus heals the man’s spirit. Jesus saw what the man truly longed for and gave him his desire. Jesus saw the man’s heart and called him to forgiveness. The healing of the paralyzed man’s body is almost incidental to Jesus’ relationship with the man.

The physical healing takes place simply to show to Jesus’ skeptics that he has the power to forgive…and the power to heal.

What is really great about this passage is that the subtitle is true regardless of whether Jesus physically has the paralyzed man get up and walk or doesn’t.

Often when we read the Bible it helps our understanding when we put ourselves in the place of various characters in it. When we do this with the subtitle, it says it all. “Jesus Forgives and Heals Me.”

Let us pray: Jesus, Son of God, forgive me. Jesus, Son of God, heal me. 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 Carol Strawn.

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.

They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. Mark 1:21-28

Talk about being in the right place at the right time. Jesus is in the synagogue teaching and a man with an unclean spirit shows up, gets in Jesus’ face, and ends up being healed. He didn’t earn it, didn’t win it, he didn’t even request it. It was Jesus’ authority, power and choice that made it happen. This resonates with me.

One night long ago, I woke up in a panic that there was something important I was supposed to have done. Life and death, soul saving important – whatever it was, it was too late, I had blown it. I tried to reason it through, to make sense of it, but couldn’t think of anything. Finally, a simple thought cut through – the thought that, at least as far as my soul is concerned, fortunately it isn’t up to me, I am saved by Grace.

There is a peace, a freedom that comes from knowing no matter how I mess things up, I cannot blow it to the point of negating what Jesus has done for me. Jesus has the power, the authority and the desire that makes me whole. Thanks be to God!

Let us pray: Gracious Lord, help us to remember that you have the power to set us free. May that confidence open us up to live in joy and love. 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 Yu Cao.

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me.

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.

O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit. Psalm 30:1-3

I started attending church when I thought I hit the lowest point of my life. After being a stay-at-home mom for two years I was so exhausted and felt so lost at that time. I longed for spiritual guidance more than anything else. That’s when I heard Jesus’ stories, God’s rescuing plan, and the promises.

There are still ups and downs in my life afterwards, but I was totally changed. I’m not lost any more. He will always come and draw me up. He will always hear my cry for help. He will always heal me. Eventually, He will bring me to a place overcoming death. How can I not praise him every day?

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for lifting me up and healing me whenever I cry for help! Thank you for your wonderful, never stopping, never giving up, and everlasting love! 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 Sara Karow.

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. Mark 10:46-52

In modern American life, physical blindness is treated with compassion, with myriad programs and educational opportunities created to enable the sightless to participate as fully and independently as possible. But it wasn’t always so.

In Jesus’ day, blindness was not only a disability rendering a person unable to support himself or herself, but the blind were often outcasts in a community that believed physical flaws were manifestations of sin. But the beggar Bartimaeus, even in his blindness, saw Jesus and recognized His healing power.

Our spiritual and emotional blindness comes in so many varieties. We can be blind to our own shortcomings, blind to the needs of those in our families and circles of acquaintance, blind to the hungry and homeless, blind to the unspoken prejudices we might harbor toward those who are different from us in race, religion, politics, or economic status. These forms of blindness put us at odds with God’s will that we love one another as he loves us.

The Good News is that through Christ we are offered an endless stream of opportunities to be healed of our many blindness’s and to share His healing touch with others. Our eyes and our hearts can be opened. And, like Bartimaeus, all we need do is ask.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father and Healer of all, help us to recognize the parts of ourselves that are blind and broken. As Jesus healed Bartimaeus, heal our own hearts and minds that we may live to bless others with the Good News of your love and compassion. 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 Lauren Holmes.

When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:41-45

Jesus died as an example of how we should live, be selfless, serve others. Serving yourself and living to gain power will not fulfill your life. In serving you will find riches.

In a world of “things” it is easy to get caught up with only looking after #1. It gets easier to drive by those in need. It gets easier to only worry about yourself. It grows difficult to look at the bigger picture.

As a Kindergarten teacher, I want my students to do kind things, help their friends and family and develop a servant’s heart. I want them to see that they do not need “things” as a reward for doing the right thing and I want them to feel how it makes themselves and others feel when they serve. I believe the best way to teach others how to serve is through example. The energy that serving gives you is contagious.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, please help me to remember the value in serving others and allow me to plant the seed of service through my actions. Please help me to see the opportunities you lay before me to serve. 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 Staci DeKunder.

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

I like this verse because it reminds me that we do not have to make things too complicated.  Jesus says that we should have the faith of a child.

A few years ago, I was teaching Sunday School to 3 and 4 year children.  I was teaching the story of God providing manna from heaven for the Israelites.  I asked the children to pretend to go to sleep in a “tent” made from a card table covered with a sheet.  Then, I spread popcorn all over a sheet on the floor, and I asked them to wake up and see the “manna” that was provided for them.

They were thrilled to see the popcorn, as if it were a real miracle.  They knew that I had placed the popcorn on the floor, but they did not complicate the story by pointing out all the flaws in my reenactment.  I believe that they all left that day understanding that God will provide for their needs like he did for the Israelites, and they enjoyed the popcorn treat.

This experience reminded me that children develop faith without all the skepticism and questioning that adults might have.  Sometimes, letting the children come to Jesus is as simple as telling them a Bible story with a little imagination and a bag of microwave popcorn.  And then we can follow their example of faith and trust.

Let us pray: Dear Lord, Thank you for the wonderful blessing of children in our lives.  Please help us to teach them about your love, and learn from them how to be joyful and faithful to you.  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 Myra Condit.

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

The Sea of Galilee was known for having unexpected storms. So too are our lives filled with many storms. Just as the disciples thought that Jesus did not care, we too have these same doubts at times in our lives.   We also ask Jesus, “Why are you letting this happen to me?”

The disciples had only been followers of Christ for a short time. They had seen him drive out demons and heal people who were sick, but they did not yet know who Jesus really was. They had wondered many times who He was as he taught about how to live. People were drawn to Him by His teachings, and they too had felt that same magnetism. When the storm came up, they thought they were going to die. They asked Him, “Teacher don’t you care about us?”

We know who Jesus is by reading the Bible. He is the Son of God who died on the cross for us. When the storms of life come crashing in on us, we put our trust in Him. At our baptism God calls us by name, claims us as His own, and will not leave us no matter what happens in our lives.

Let us pray: Heavenly father, we so often fall short in our love and trust in You. Help us to always remember that you are there with us in everything we do, and to call on your Holy Name rather than try to bear everything ourselves.   We pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen