Day 8 Lenten Devotion--March 1, 2012

Lenten Reflection for Day 8

Date: March 1, 2012

Author: Ed Olney

Bible Passage: Matthew 9:27–30a (NRSV)

²⁷ As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” ²⁸ When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” ²⁹ Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” ³⁰ And their eyes were opened.

Reflection: Do we believe that a strong faith leads to salvation? Yes, we do, but we are usually thinking of life after death. In today’s passage, when Jesus implies that the faith of the blind men has saved them, it is the Greek word for “made you well” that is used. Do we think of faith in “here and now” terms? Maybe not, but we can and should, because this is how many of us have first experienced it.

A strong faith in daily living is our foundation and “bears us up,” as in Psalm 68:19-20, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.” In our daily living, we know that if we ask God, believing, we will receive. In this way, we can experience salvation on Earth, here and now. Think of the ways you have already done this through your prayers for self and others. Can you now see the ways in which God is making sufficient the path you are taking?

Prayer: God, our great physician, help me take care of the body, mind, and spirit that you have given me and trust you with the results of my efforts. May I walk today the sufficient path you prepare before me. May others that are suffering or are lost on life’s journey receive the same path. In the name of Jesus, Amen

Day 2 Lenten Devotion--February 23, 2012

Lenten Reflection for Day 2

Date: February 23, 2012

Author: John Harris

Bible Passage: Matthew 28:16–17 (NRSV)

¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

Reflection:

“Doubt is merely the seed of faith,” states an elderly Benedictine monk in response to Kathleen Norris’ frustrations with her own Christian faith. Doubt plays a major part in this morning’s Bible passage.

Jesus has a special place in His heart for all of us “doubters.” And I ask all of you, who has not had his or her moments of doubt? In over thirty years of leading adult Bible studies, I cannot count the number of times folks have expressed difficulties of belief over certain Bible passages. But, you know what, Jesus can handle our doubts. Indeed, the “seeds of faith” are planted in the very heart of our unbelief. We just need the “intestinal fortitude” to continue our conversations with Jesus by continuing to read the Bible, attending worship services (particularly the Wednesday Lenten services!), and availing ourselves of the sacrament.

It is through worship that we hear the word of God and how God strengthens our faith and speaks to us in our moments of doubt. Through worship, we see how God responded to all those other doubters—Sarah, Moses, Jonah, Jeremiah, Peter, the woman at the well, and Thomas just to name a few. Through worship, we keep the channels of communication with Jesus open. When we keep our two way conversations with God open, as Kathleen Norris so eloquently states, “things fall into place.”

Prayer: Dear God, I know that You are with me in my moments of doubt. Help me to discern Your ways through worship and the gift of Your body and blood. Speak to me through Your Holy Spirit as you have spoken to the prophets of old. Amen.

The Servant of the Lord

Advent Day 22

Fourth Sunday in Advent

December 18, 2011

Reading: Luke 1:38 (NRSV)

³⁸ Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Theme: The Servant of the Lord

Reflection:

How many of us have heard Mary’s words: “Here I am the servant of the Lord” and wondered at her faith. She has just been given ‘mission impossible’ by the Angel Gabriel—the task of carrying God’s son—as an unmarried teenager. Her amazing response is: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Her faith is so strong that she willing submits to the role that God asks of her.

I don’t know that I could respond in the way Mary does. I think that I would be tempted to don my size 7.5 ASICS running shoes to get out of town. “Not me God, I’m not up to this; I have other plans for my life. My dream wedding is coming up, and I don’t want to be pregnant for it. Can’t you find some other Mary, one who is willing to do this. I know someone, maybe I could fix you up with her.”

And so it goes with many of us. When God calls you to do something, whether it is to teach Sunday School, to write a devotion, to sing in the choir or to serve on the Church Council, do you find yourself looking over your shoulder to see if maybe, just maybe, you overheard the call intended for someone else. Do you find all kinds of excuses why you’re not the right person. If Mary is a typical example, God often calls us to do things that are far out of our comfort zones. God often sees things in us that we don’t see in ourselves. God also supports and guides us when we do reach beyond our self-imposed boundaries to do God’s work.

Pray that when you hear God’s call to action, you, too, can answer: “Here I am, the servant of the Lord.”

Prayer: Challenging God, when I hear your call to service, help me to see myself in the ways that you see me. Help me to realize that you will be there to “bear me up” when I meet challenges in your service. In your son Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Seeing and Not Seeing

Advent Day 14

Second Saturday in Advent

December 10, 2011

Reading: John 16:16–18 (NRSV)

¹⁶ “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.” ¹⁷ Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying to us, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” ¹⁸ They said, “What does he mean by this ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.”

Theme: Seeing and Not Seeing

Reflection:

In this Advent season, we pray “Come, Lord Jesus Come”. But when Jesus does come among us, how will we know it? Will we see Jesus? Will we be living in the “little while” when our eyes are opened and Jesus’ presence is visible to us? Will our eyes be opened to the presence of “God with us” and will we be able to see, or will there be so many things distracting us that we will not be able to see Jesus?

In the Gospel of John, seeing is equated with believing. If you don’t believe, then you are not able to see. If you believe, trust, and have faith, then your eyes are opened, and God enables you to see.

When you trust and believe, you see Jesus in many ways. Yesterday I saw Jesus in the face of the young cashier at Ocean State Job Lot, who asked me for a donation to the Newport Food Pantry. She explained that the donation could be conveniently rung up with my purchases. And then she told me, shyly, that she volunteers at the food pantry in her spare time. I don’t know what her religious traditions are, but I know that Jesus was alive and well, working through her for the least among us. I saw Jesus in her, and I heard his mother’s words in her voice: “And the hungry will be fed with good things.” You know, this young cashier thanked me for the donation. I should have thanked her for her witness. My eyes were opened, and I was able to see.

Prayer: In this Advent season, Lord help me to pray “Come Lord Jesus, Come”, and open my eyes that I might see “God with us” in all the walks of life. Amen

Lenten Devotion Days 30-34, April 12--16

This morning we welcome guest bloggers: Elaine Day, Howard Shaffer, Mike Michaels, Dan Affeldt and John Harris for their devotions for today and the following four days of Lent

Lenten Reflection for Day 30

Date: Tuesday April 12, 2011

Author: Elaine Day

Bible Passage:

Ephesians 6:18 (NRSV)

¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.

Reflection:

In the verses preceding 6:18, God’s people are told to be ready to stand against the wiles of the devil by putting on the “armor of God” which is truth, righteousness, a willingness to announce the Good News of peace, faith and salvation. In order to do this we must pray continually for God’s help.

One of my favorite hymns is “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. It is such a comfort to have the privilege to take my burdens to God in prayer. I frequently find myself praying for my personal needs and the needs of loved ones and friends. Less frequently, do I find myself praying for the attributes described in Ephesians which would make me a more faithful disciple who is able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Yet Ephesians 6:18 says to do so not only for myself but for all God’s people and at all times.

It is not easy to “walk the walk” but by seeking help from God through prayer, I can strive to do better.

Prayer:

Lord, God, thank you for your precious Word. Help us to seek truth and righteousness. Help us to announce the Good News of Peace. Increase our faith and acceptance of our salvation. These things we pray for ourselves and for all God’s people. Amen

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Lenten Reflection for Day 31

Date: Wednesday April 13, 2011

Author: Howard Shaffer

Bible Passage:

James 5:15–16 (NRSV)

¹⁵ The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

Reflection:

I've always liked the book of James, because of his directness and common sense. James saying we must have good works has caused difficulty in understanding. At first, some see it as meaning we are saved by works, not by faith. The opposite is true. We are saved by faith in God's grace alone. But James, Paul, Jesus and Martin Luther all mean the same thing. God and your fellow human beings know what you really believe; its what you do! Jesus said "They will know you are my disciples by how you love one another." Martin Luther said "You are saved by faith alone, but if faith is alone, it is not faith."

James reemphasizes Jesus command to pray in all things.

Prayer:

God help us to remember to pray about all things, at all times, in all places, having faith that you are always there for us.

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Lenten Reflection for Day 32

Date: Thursday April 14, 2011

Author: Mike Michaels

Bible Passage:

1 Samuel 12:23 (NRSV)

²³ Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

Reflection:

Although this passage was written way before Jesus came to us to teach us “to forgive and forgive and forgive yet again,” it seems that our Father in heaven, the Lord God Almighty, had been doing just this same thing for his chosen people, Israel, for a long, long time. When the people of Israel turned away from God, to join in worshiping golden calves or other false idols, the true God would always warn them by means of a prophet; then when they were sufficiently convinced of the error of their ways, and begged God’s forgiveness, He would do so, again and again.

At this point in their history, the people of Israel had once again gone soft in their faith in the Almighty God (who had delivered them countless times past) and had now asked for a human King to lead them. It was Samuel’s job to address them and to warn them, as he was stepping aside for their new King to take control, that they and their new king had better stay on the straight and narrow path of God’s law.

Samuel promised to continue to pray for them, but in the same breath he admonished them that if they strayed again, The True God would certainly punish both them and their new king with destruction.

As much as God wanted His people to live up to His expectations and His righteous laws for them, and as much as He continued to discipline them severely when they strayed, it remains clear throughout the history of Israel, that God would much rather forgive them over and over, than to forsake and destroy his people forever.

Maybe it was a foreshadowing of the love that His Son, Jesus, would show to us who follow Him…forgiving us over and over again, no matter how many times we seem to screw up and then beg His forgiveness once more. He always seems to be able to do this, and go forward with us, rather than forsake us to eternal destruction. What an incredible gift we have in this.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for your unending forgiveness. We thank you for the provisions you have made for everything we have, ever have had, or ever will have. In Jesus’ name; Amen.

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Lenten Reflection for Day 33

Date: Friday April 15, 2011

Author: Dan Affeldt

Bible Passage:

Romans 12:4–5 (NRSV)

⁴ For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, ⁵ so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.

Reflection:

Bonhoeffer’s insight to this passage is powerful and at the same time daunting. He considers the physical body as;

“. . the appropriate metaphor for the Christian community. Every member serves the whole body, contributing either to its health or to its ruin, for we are members of one body not only when we want to be, but in our whole existence.”

Think about how we express the state our own bodies. We do not say my back is sick, nor do we say that only one isolated part of my body has the flu. We say “I am sick”, or “I do not feel well” or “I feel awful”. Conversely if we feel good, healthy, energized, and focused this is a statement about our whole being.

So it follows that if we, the community as the one body in Christ, have a member [a part of our “body”] who has shared freely the love of Christ so have we all in some regard since we are a part of the same Body in Christ. The same is true if any have sinned, are ailing spiritually or physically, are desperate or lonely, or are holding desperate and painful secrets that in some way this is shared by all of us.

Thus each of us with so many different “functions” as cited in Paul’s letter to the Romans, has the potential to be a part of healing and restoring our shared “Body” back to health through our individual acts of sharing, kindness and compassion. All of this is made possible through the freely given love of Christ and our willingness to act as His Disciple.

Prayer:

Lord, we look to the past with complete gratitude for the profound gift of your Grace, which allows us to look to the future with hope. The gift of our community is so evident, with friends all about us with so many special gifts to share.

We know nothing does itself, hunger doesn’t stop itself, healing treatments don’t administer themselves, projects for service don’t plan themselves, our forgiveness and compassion for others don’t offer themselves on their own. Someone has to do everything that is done, make everything that is made, and think everything that is thought.

We know the next move is always up to us.

Let us be fair and kind to those in our life’s path this and every day. Inspire us so that we may labor for things beyond ourselves, so that our lives may be dedicated to you. Make us unafraid of hopes and dreams; release us from cynicism and despair. Teach us to be realistic about our limitations but never to lose trust in our potential to transcend them.

Keep clear to us the blessings of the past and the promise of the future. Grant us courage for today and tomorrow.

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Lenten Reflection for Day 34

Date: Saturday April 16, 2011

Author: John Harris

Bible Passage:

Ephesians 4:29 (NRSV)

²⁹ Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.

Reflection:

The great wartime British prime minister, Winston Churchill, was a man of strong opinions and a great letter writer. When he was angry at fellow politicians, often times it was our own President Roosevelt, he would fire off an angry missive telling the offending leader just what he thought of him. Sir Winston would then proceed to throw that letter in the trash and write a more conciliatory and “diplomatic” letter.

Locally, in the past few days, we have seen some of our state representatives lash out at opponents in some “graceless” and ill advised Facebook comments that definitely did not “give grace to those who hear.” Later, if the newspapers are to be believed, these individuals have appeared to be apologetic for their harsh words. Of course, as Christians, Paul holds us to a higher standard. His advice is never ever talk or write about a fellow believer to another believer or a third party. If a Christian has an issue with a fellow Christian, you speak to them personally and in private. The Church is no place for secrecy and gossip. Rather, the Christian Community is a place were we build each other up, affirm one another, and when our sinful natures come into conflict, we listen to each other first, and then seek solutions.

Perhaps we all should emulate Sir Winston. Next time you find yourself in conflict with a member of the Christian Community, write down your feelings in a letter or an e-mail. Then, throw the letter in the trash or hit the delete button on the computer. Grab the phone, call the person up and invite them out for coffee. Most importantly, listen to what they have to say and be conscious of any “evil talk” emanating from our own mouths.

Prayer:

Lord, we live in a world that thrives on secrecy, rumor and gossip. Through your abundant grace, you have given us the means to listen and to respond to the needs of our neighbors, both within our Christian Community and in the greater world. Help us to be agents fro building up and affirming all our neighbors. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Lent Day 29: April 11

This morning we welcome guest blogger Susan Van Abs, who shares her thoughts about service in the context of Christian faith.

Lenten Reflection for Day 29

Date: Monday April 11, 2011

Author: Susan Van Abs

Bible Passage:

Galatians 6:9–10 (NRSV)

⁹ So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. ¹⁰ So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

Reflection:

Have you ever done something for someone that went unappreciated? Have you ever felt weary serving others and maybe even about serving and worshipping God?

Galatians 6:9 gives us hope! If we stay the course by relying on faith and do not give up, we will reap a harvest. That harvest is the Kingdom of God! It is easy to feel down when we get involved in the community and church work and we feel unappreciated or even alone. Yet if we remember our faith in God and the reasons we are helping others, we might go about what we do with a less weary heart. Our works alone will not get us to heaven, but having faith in God and worshipping and glorifying him, will help us to reap the harvest, our final reward with our Lord Jesus.

Does Galatians 6:10 imply that “charity begins at home?” Absolutely not! Our family of faith is our team. As a Christian, faith-based community, we are stronger with a team of faith-equipped members going out and sharing the Good News about Jesus Christ than doing it solely by ourselves. With this faith-based community, our works multiply and we are able to share the goodness and love of Christ to those with no faith. Lifting those in our faith-based community helps us to reach out together to “work for the good of all.”

Martin Luther wrote “But works, being inanimate things, cannot glorify God, although they can if faith is present, be done to the Glory of God.” [1]

So the next time you feel “weary” or “unappreciated”, lean on your faith in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:

Dear God, my Lord and Savior, help me to remember that any works I do for others is in vain if I do not have faith in you. Please help me to keep faith when things do not seem to be going well, so that I do not get weary and lose sight of your will. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord. AMEN

[1] p. 398 Martin Luther’s Theological Writings, Second Edition. Martin Luther, Timothy Lull, and William Russell. Fortress Press, 2005.

Lent Day 25: April 6

This morning's devotion helps us to think about the ways in which we hear God's Word.

Lenten Reflection for Day 25

Date: Wednesday March 6, 2011

Author: Pastor Pat Harris

Bible Passage:

Hebrews 13:7 (NRSV)

⁷ Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Reflection:

The Word of God comes two us in two forms: Law and Gospel. The Law shows us our failings, condemns us, convicts us and even has the power to kill the sinner us in. The Gospel part of God’s Word comforts us, restores us, saves us and gives us the promise of eternal life.

We receive the Word of God when we hear Scripture read, when we hear Scripture preached, when we experience Christ in the sacraments, and when Christ comes among us as two or three gather in his name. God uses human beings to preach and proclaim God’s own Word to others. Hearing God’s Word from other people is an important way in which God shapes us and gives us the gift of faith. We come to know the Word of God in a Christian community.

St. Paul writes in his letter to the Romans that “Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) From whom have you heard God’s Word? In what ways have those people been role models for you? How has the hearing of God’s Word affected you? How does hearing God’s Word from others strengthen your faith?

Prayer:

Good and gracious God, I thank you for all those who speak God’s Word to me. May your Word take root in me and thrive and blossom. May your Word strengthen my faith. Amen

Lent Day 21: April 1

Lenten Reflection for Day 21

Date: Friday April 1, 2011

Author: Pastor Pat Harris

Bible Passage:

James 2:14–17 (NRSV)

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? ¹⁷ So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

Reflection:

This passage can be a difficult one for Lutherans to deal with, because at first glance it can seem to be at odds with one of the prime tenets of Lutheran belief, that we are saved through faith, not by works. This strong Lutheran belief is grounded in Paul’s Letter to the Romans: since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,…For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. (Romans 3:23-24, 28)

How can this passage, from James’ letter, about the importance of “works” be read and interpreted without undermining our strong belief in justification by faith? It helps me to think that anyone having a “lively faith” would be moved to help their brothers, sisters, neighbors and community members. When we realize that God has given us the gift of faith, and along with it, forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ, we are so filled with gratitude that we just want to do things for others. When we realize how much God has done for us, doing things such as: feeding our neighbors, advocating for those who living in poverty, helping with shelter and clothing for those who have none, all seem to flow out of our faith.

To paraphrase Luther, now that God has done all the heavy lifting by giving us grace, faith and forgiveness of sins, what are we going to do with all of our time?? Why help our neighbor, of course!!

Prayer:

Gracious God, you have given me so much: life, faith, forgiveness of sins, and the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ. Help me to express the “lively faith” which you have given me through what I do for others. Help me to see and help those who are hungry, cold, homeless, suffering or lonely. Amen