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Printable PDF version of each week's Devotionals click below:
September 13-19, September 20-26, September 27-October 3,
October 4-October 10, October 11-October 17, October 18-October 24,
October 25-October 31, November 1-November 7, November 8-November 14, November 15-November 21, November 22-November 28
For a printable PDF version of this week's Devotionals, click here.
Sunday, November 22
Scripture:
“…Jesse the father of David the King…Jacob, the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Christ.” Matthew 1
Genealogy is IN these days as it is evidently for Matthew. Thus his Gospel begins amid the heartbreaks and splendors of a family tree. Like most of our genealogy stories there were some good sheep and some black sheep along the way (most of us speak only of the good sheep in our family tree).
I am sure that Jesus didn’t want to be known as a King. So He told Pilate. However, He did challenge Pilate and us about the nature of His Kingdom: “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God.” The Kingdom of God is like…a mustard seed, leaven, treasure hidden in a field, a merchant in search of fine pearls.
He invites us to accept him as the King of our Hearts and to live the marks of His Kingdom, such marks as truth and faith, grace and love, justice with peace. Puny things for the world in which we live? Maybe so. Yet they are reality qualities for our lives as we live in response to God’s call and invitation to each of us, never coercing, but ever inviting. His grace abounds and amazes…for you…for me.
This is the concluding week for seventy-seven devotionals, and I think Pastor Haller for her leadership in the project and for the more than sixty members of Trinity who shared their thoughts and insights and prayers.
Thank you God for renewing us each day with Your Grace and love enabling us to share Your marks of the Kingdom in our speaking, living and giving. In Christ’s name. Amen.
—Contributed by Pastor Dick Frazier
Monday, November 23
Scripture:
What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people….I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord. Psalm 116: 12-14, 17-19
There is no more appropriate way to end this series “Seeds of Faith – People of Faith” and look forward to next week’s Thanksgiving celebration than by reflecting on the words of Psalm 116. Psalm 116 is a psalm of thanksgiving, the words of which we have often sung together as the Canticle for Thanksgiving after the offertory prayer in our Sunday morning services. While the authorship of this psalm is uncertain, it has often been attributed to David who being delivered out of very great dangers, relates what cruel torment and anguish of mind he endured, and then how remarkably he was preserved by God. Accordingly, this psalm would have been used in worship as someone celebrated deliverance from difficulties and troubles. Perhaps the worshipper actually faced the possibility of physical death. Or, perhaps the worshippers troubles included the death of a loved one, a broken relationship or economic struggles (struggles we share with those worshippers of old). Whatever the problem, the worshipper has come through darkness into light and has understood this to be the work of God. The worshipper’s response is thanksgiving.
Let us likewise respond with thanksgiving for God’s deliverance and bounty. Just as he provided it to David and to each of the people of faith we have studied over the past six weeks, God provides it to each of us. We need not look far to see evidence of God’s bounty and deliverance. Most recently, God has provided us adequate bounty to expand our church home to be better able to welcome everyone to grow in the grace and love of Jesus Christ. Let us join with those that have come before us in offering thanksgiving for this deliverance and bounty. And, let us offer this thanksgiving and praise in the presence of all God’s people. The news is too great to keep to ourselves. Finally, let us be certain, in this time of great need and always, that our thanksgiving and praise includes sharing God’s delivery and bounty with all in need.
Dear God, We thank and praise you for hearing our voices and for the bounty you bestow on us daily. Amen.
—Contributed by Ragna Urberg
Tuesday, November 24
Scripture:
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 1 Corinthians 15:25
Christ the King Sunday is the climax and conclusion of the Church’s liturgical journey through the life of Christ and the Gospel message. The beloved hymn, Crown Him with Many Crowns, was written by Matthew Bridges in 1851 and the tune written by George Elvey seventeen years later. This hymn invites us to join in the worshipful celebration of the Lamb who was slain. We live in a world where the enemies of Christ wage war against his authority and rule and entice us to join their ranks. We can take comfort in the reality that Jesus is now on the throne and protecting the faithful.
“Awake my soul and sing, of Him who died for me,
And hail him as thy matchless King, through all eternity.”
Eternal God, watch over our souls, inspire us to live in peace and harmony never forgetting that we have nothing to fear from the world under Christ’s most gentle rule and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
—Contributed by Jane Wuthrich
Wednesday, November 25
Scripture:
8Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 12When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. 15But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever. 2 Samuel 7:8-16
The centerpiece of this scripture is God’s faithfulness to His Word.
The prophet, Nathan, delivers to David God’s word that David will not build a house, the Temple, for God, but God will build a house, a dynasty, of David’s descendents to stand for all time. And so it was the Jesus was born through the lineage of David as God had promised and as Matthew so carefully described.
David’s darker moments are yet to come but will not obscure or cancel the promise God made to him and his house. David will be chastened for his sins, but the promise is unconditional and will not be revoked. Individuals, including David, will suffer grievous loss through their disobedience, but the promise of God will remain steadfast.
So it is with us. By God’s grace, through profession of faith and baptism, we are saved and made a part of the household of God. Life will still come at us, disobedience will exact a price, and the rain will fall on the just and the unjust. But God will not waver nor will His promise be rescinded.
Jesus said to his disciples (John 14:1-4), “ … for I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I shall come again and receive you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. God is faithful to His Word.
Jesus said, “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.” Today, O God, we affirm Thy gracious presence. We claim Thy loving promise. We bow in worship at Thy feet. Amen.
—Contributed by Steve Harter
Thursday, November 26
Scripture:
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
3he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name's sake.
4Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff —
they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
my whole life long. Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd!
Pictures of Jesus are scattered throughout the Bible. One of the more famous pictures is based on Psalm 23. It starts with the well known words,” The Lord is my Shepherd." Years ago, as I was about to undergo major heart surgery, my pastor asked me to think of my favorite picture of Jesus. One that I named without hesitation was the picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd depicted in Psalm 23.
To understand the images of this psalm, it is necessary to realize what a shepherd’s daily work involves. Sheep are helpless, not unlike how I felt years ago facing surgery, and not unlike how each of us feels during difficult times. The helplessness of a sheep is especially apparent when a sheep accidentally rolls on its back. Sheep in that position are not able turn over and get up by themselves. The shepherd rescues that sheep, before a predator makes that sheep its lunch!
We often have times when we feeling powerless in our lives. Sometimes, we can’t rely on a parent, grandparent, sister, brother, or even friends to help set us free from heavy burdens. But Jesus can! Jesus, our Good Shepherd, comes to all of us through His Holy Word and Sacraments. We can, in our church family, experience the green pastures and quiet waters with which our souls are nourished. Throughout the year and in our lives, we collectively focus on our Good Shepherd, who laid down His life to rescue us. In our Trinity family, we also gather together to worship and celebrate with joy and thanksgiving a living and risen Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who continues to care for all of us each and every day.
In what situations do you hear and feel the voice of the Good Shepherd who knows you?
May our Good Shepherd continue to guide us daily to the green pastures and quiet waters of heaven. Amen.
—Contributed by Carol Henke
Friday, November 27
Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:8-16 [See Wednesday, November 25]
David is commonly revered as the greatest king of Israel. Chosen by God and anointed by Samuel to govern God’s chosen people, he led them through many military victories and decades of prosperity. He was a man after God’s own heart, and it was through his lineage that God promised to send the savior of mankind. This savior would also be a king, but in a radically different way from David. While David was an earthly king bedecked in riches and prestige, this savior-king was a homeless rabbi whose kingdom was of another world. This king led his followers not into wars but into a peace that passes all understanding. This king came to us in humble service to die for us and bring us into his Father’s household. As his redeemed subjects, what better way could there be for us to show our love for our king than to emulate his actions?
Dear Lord, help us follow the example of our savior-king. Help us not to be distracted by the worries of this world, but live as citizens of your kingdom alone that we may experience the freedom our King has bought for us. Amen.
—Contributed by Laura Bohnke
Saturday, November 28
Scripture:
Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God.
2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the LORD's hand
double for all her sins.
3A voice cries out:
"In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
6A voice says, "Cry out!"
And I said, "What shall I cry?"
All people are grass,
their constancy is like the flower of the field.
7The grass withers, the flower fades,
when the breath of the LORD blows upon it;
surely the people are grass.
8The grass withers, the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:1-8
We now move from Christ the King Sunday through Thanksgiving to a new year, the Season of Advent, a time of preparation to receive God’s greatest gift.
Years ago, when I was a counselor at summer camps, we used to dread the noise in the dining room on dark, dismal, rainy days because the voices of the children always went up by decibels…when it was dark. In the sunshine there is no need to raise your voice, but when the darkness presses in, the voices are often strident and noisy.
There is plenty of darkness hovering over us these days. Is there any word from the Lord?
The first voice you hear in Isaiah’s passage is neither strident nor harsh. The people who walked in so much darkness, now returning to their homeland, hear these words: “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people.” Handel, in the opening strains of the Messiah, interpreting this passage, assigns the opening notes to a soft woodwind. Thus as we turn to the Season of Advent we hear a voice of encouragement and hope amid whatever darkness hangs over us.
May we continue our devotions with the new booklet with its bright cover, daily devotions based on the thoughts of C.S. Lewis.
Dear Lord, as we wait in your hope to celebrate you coming among us in a manger and your coming again at the end of time, help us to live not in fear but in faithfulness, as Saint Paul challenges us to lay aside darkness and put on the armor of the light through Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Contributed by Pastor Dick Frazier
For a printable PDF version of this week's Devotionals, click here.
Sunday, November 15
Scripture:
16For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us…) Romans 4:16
Decades ago, when television was a new communications medium, a game show, Who Do You Trust?, was aired. What is intriguing about the program for our time is its title. Who Do You Trust? asks the question with which we each grapple daily. Even our biblical ancestors such as Abraham and Sarah grappled with trust issues. As we see their struggle and overall victory, we find models for our own faith lives.
Abram and Sarai seem pretty ordinary when introduced in the Genesis saga. God pours out countless blessings upon them and, in the process, stretches and grows their faith. Against significant obstacles (and even common sense), they trust God’s direction. Their faith in God’s faithfulness becomes the standard for all generations. By God’s grace, life does depend on faith. And because of Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile, we are all recipients of God’s faithful blessing.
Abiding Love, you continue to lead us in paths we do not always understand and by means which seem, at times, impossible. Give us faith to follow your precious Son, knowing the One who calls us in faithful, now unto eternal life. Amen.
—Contributed by Rev. Kathy Haller
Monday, November 16
Scripture:
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;
stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
For he did not despise or abhor
the affliction of the afflicted;
he did not hide his face from me,
but heard when I cried to him.
From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the LORD.
May your hearts live forever!
All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the LORD;
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before him.
For dominion belongs to the LORD,
and he rules over the nations.
To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
and I shall live for him.
Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the LORD,
and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn,
saying that he has done it. Psalm 22:23-31
King David talks about the seed of Jacob and the seed of Israel in times of fear and glory to the Lord. The meek (gentle) shall eat well and their hearts shall live forever… As a mother and grandmother, I would love my heart to live forever. The Lord is the governor among nations—plural. Our daughter, Jill and family presently live in Tel Aviv, Israel. On Saturday, Laura (16) attends a service with Messianic Jews (believe in Jesus but still practice old Jewish traditions). Three evacuations from other countries brought Laura and brother Sean into our home…Trinity embraced them—the same church where they were baptized. What joy!
Open our hearts to all Christians and all people Lord. Amen.
—Contributed by Marjorie Gulliksen
Tuesday, November 17
Scripture:
Clearly, God’s to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!) So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. Romans 4:13-25
The Glorious Gift—the Impossible Becomes the Possible
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, the story of God’s faithfulness to Abraham is from Abraham’s point of view. “Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping...” We learn from Abraham as our faith parent that God’s promise is a gift that excuses the cliché, “keeps on giving.”
How does each one of us make this long ago Bible story relevant in our faith journeys today? Certainly my own faith journey has wobbled, but I agree with Rev. Dudley C. Rose’s interpretation of Martin Luther’s struggle with the impossible becoming the possible. “Luther felt that faith came through God’s grace, that it was not something we could manufacture or will for ourselves. Faith starts with God’s action on us, but we can and often do get in the way of it. For Luther, human beings were required to empty themselves of their striving, their own sense of control, in other words, they were required to get out of God’s way a little so that God’s grace could do its work. Faith, then, comes from the encounter with God, and it comes only as we become empty enough to let it do its work. In some real sense God is always at our side, pouring out grace, ‘looking to encounter us.’”
I am reminded of the story Madeleine L’Engle a renowned children’s author and theologian, told of a young fireman who was so distraught at being unable to save a family of five from a car that had become a raging inferno after a horrific accident. In his anguish he cried out the question over and over, “Where was God?” And Ms. L’Engle answered, “God was in that car.” That story moved me and is a reminder that in one’s darkest hour, God’s faith or promise does not leave us, thus we ought not to make light of his precious gift but be open to the possibilities it brings to our lives.
“Greatest is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with thee; though changest not, thy compassions they fail not; as though hast been, thou forever will be.”
—Thomas O. Chisholm
—Contributed by Margaret Lyng
Wednesday, November 18
Scripture: Romans 4:13-25 [See Tuesday, November 17]
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, Chapter 4, verses 13-25, we see the admonition to remember that God acts through His faithful followers, and uses them to carry out His will. We give ourselves too much credit if we believe our own efforts can achieve salvation, or enhance God’s kingdom on earth. Abraham could not imagine becoming the “father of many nations” when he considered his own age, and limited abilities. He did, however, have a strong faith, and knew that God could, and would, work through him.
In our modern daily life, we are conditioned to believe that we can achieve whatever we set our mind to, and that it is our right to expect God’s plan to fit into our own. It is too easy to believe that our own efforts will “earn” God’s favor, and that by compiling a list of our so-called good deeds, we will be rewarded. Only by acknowledging that God’s work through us is valid, and not a conscious decision on our own, do we begin to understand what being a person of faith means.
Grace comes to us as a free gift, with no price to be paid by us. We do not even need to acknowledge it. No action is required to validate God’s precious gift. The life we live in the world reflects what we learn about God’s love, and makes us who we are, but we can do nothing to earn salvation. Our life should reflect the light of God’s love as praise, and not as payment on our heavenly account.
—Contributed by Roberta & Larry Brubaker
Thursday, November 19
Scripture:
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred to the land I will show you…” so Abram went, as the Lord had told him… Genesis 12
God said to Abraham…I will bless her [Sarah], and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of people shall come from her. Genesis 17:15-16
He [Abraham] did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead…no distrust made him waiver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he promised.
Reading the Genesis account of Abraham being told by God to leave his country and move to another land or being promised that he would have many descendents, I am impressed with the straight-forwardness of the accounts: God speaks, promises, and Abraham follows (albeit with a bit of a chuckle and a practical solution to help God out). Abraham seems so trusting and obedient!
My own journey of faith has always seemed more nuanced. Many times I’ve had trouble knowing what God wanted me to do or which direction to take. And at times I have known what direction I should go, but chose not to follow. In retrospect my faith journey is clearer: how good things came from bad or difficult situations that at the time I did not understand or like. The past experience of God’s goodness helps me as I look ahead. Now as I am in the “young-old” part of my life, the faith-journey continues with new questions, fears, and decisions to be made: what does God want of me or us in the last decades of life, should we move closer to our children, should I continue working, what happens if we run out of money, what happens if our health gives out. What if, what if…
With past faith-strengthening events, I have gotten a stronger sense of God’s walking with me into the future. Each day I am conscious of relying on God for guidance, strength, and resilience to meet the challenges to face the future, knowing that “all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Lord, help me daily to feel your presence and give me the faith to follow you. Amen.
—Contributed by Ruth Jansen
Friday, November 20
Scripture: Psalm 22:23-31 [See Monday, November 16]
This Psalm begins with the awful lonesome cry of abandonment: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” that Jesus spoke in desperation as He was dying on the cross for us. By the time we get to verse 23, the whole tone of the Psalm has turned to praise of God for his mighty acts, for his saving grace for Israel.
Most of us also have experienced those times when God seems far away. And yet God is always there. It is we who have “moved away.” In baptism we received the gift of the Holy Spirit who continues to live within us, comforting us, guiding and directing us as we live our daily lives. I’m sure that some days the Spirit has a much harder time influencing our actions than others. We are both sinner and saint at the same time.
It is God who is faithful—and not us. There are very few things that I distinctly remember from two years of religion classes at St. Olaf College, but one, in particular, stands out. It is God who is the source of our faith; and it is through living with the Spirit in us that we receive faith. In fact, we cannot operate without it. Faith, I recall, had at least two aspects: one is belief and the other is trust or assurance. But faith is even more than these two. Perhaps we simply do not have the proper word to describe faith completely. I can have faith that my car will start tomorrow and that the car coming towards me will stay on the other side of the road. But when we speak of life and death situations, (when friends or family become ill, are at risk, or die) the dimension of our faith in God suddenly becomes very real to us. We NEED God to give us courage, compassion, and grace; and our God-given faith assures us that we receive these things and more.
God is with us through thick and thin, when the times are rough or easy. Notice that the psalmist in verses 23-32 now wants to spread the good news of what God has done for him. He wants to thank and praise God for the many blessings in his life. Should we do any less?
Gracious God, strengthen our faith in You so that through good times and bad we may still be your hands in this world. All glory, honor and praise to You, now and forever. Amen.
—Contributed by Arlin Jansen
Saturday, November 21
Scripture:
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous." Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.
God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her." Genesis 17:1-6, 15-16
God must have loved Abraham and Sarah very much. He trusted them to do his will. Along with changing Abraham to be upright and sincere, God changed their names and proclaimed Sarah the mother of nations with Abraham the father. What a blessed couple they were…that to know God will work in a Marriage Covenant when we let God be in charge. Conflict and disappointments are part of life for sure, but God promises to see us through anything and everything! When we are asked to serve in a way seemingly beyond our skills, let’s remember—God with us.
May our good seeds fall on rich soil and flourish. Amen.
—Contributed by Marjorie Gulliksen
For a printable PDF version of this week's Devotionals, click here.
Sunday, November 8
Scripture:
Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. Acts 18:24-26
This week we are looking at Priscilla, Aquila and Paul in our People of Faith series and how they reached out to others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. From this reading, we can see that the Holy Spirit worked through Priscilla and Aquila to give Apollos a better understanding of Jesus, the “Way of God.”
Priscilla and Aquila were married. They were tentmakers like Paul and that is how they got to know Paul. All three ended up in Corinth and Paul stayed and worked with them because they were of the same trade. When the three of them went to Ephesus, Paul went on to Caesarea, but Priscilla and Aquila stayed there and then met Apollos.
How mysterious it is to see how God brings people together to enlighten them with the Gospel and strengthen them to share God’s good news. Paul traveled west from Athens and Priscilla and Aquila southeast from Rome when they arrived in Corinth. Apollos came north from Alexandria to Ephesus and Corinth. We can infer from the description of Apollos that he may have had more education than Priscilla and Aquila. Yet the Holy Spirit worked through all of them to unite them in Christ.
Through whom has the Holy Spirit worked to bring you to Christ and who are you bringing to Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit? It might be the most unlikely persons from near or distant lands. Gender and nationality make no difference. Whether one is a tradesman or a scholar, a pastor or lay person, the Holy Spirit is still working through us to bring us closer to Christ.
Therefore, we thank you God for those who reached out to us and those to whom we can reach out, for it is through the Holy Spirit that we are united to grow in Christ. Amen.
—Contributed by Pastor Fred Hasecke
Monday, November 9
Scripture:
After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3and, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together — by trade they were tentmakers. 4Every sabbath he would argue in the synagogue and would try to convince Jews and Greeks.
18After staying there for a considerable time, Paul said farewell to the believers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was under a vow. 19When they reached Ephesus, he left them there, but first he himself went into the synagogue and had a discussion with the Jews. 20When they asked him to stay longer, he declined; 21but on taking leave of them, he said, "I will return to you, if God wills." Then he set sail from Ephesus.
22When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. 23After spending some time there he de-parted and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. 25He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. Acts 18:1-4, 18-26
Theme: “Reaching Out”
Paul in Corinth with the Good News. What it must have been like to be a lone preacher of this new theology among the wicked. His task was huge – it’s hard for us to imagine. He was human, as much as you and me. So, when the people in Corinth didn’t listen, he got mad. He’d practically given up when the Lord stopped him, embraced him, and gave Paul renewed resolve in the challenges before him in Corinth. The Lord reached out to Paul, and Paul’s reach became extensive.
I’ve known many missionaries in my work over the years in Hispanic ministry. The good ones have a common thread - they don’t like being comfortable. Contentment makes them squirm. They’re uneasy when things aren’t challenging. A light load just doesn’t suit them. One man’s chains, another’s freedom… For Paul, it seemed he just needed that occasional nudge from the Lord, keeping him strong and focused. Reaching out became an extension of the Lord’s love of him, and of all the people of Corinth.
Are we listening when the Lord asks us to be a symbol of Him? Do we feel His nudge? Do we intentionally reach out, even when it’s uncomfortable?
Holy Father, help us to see our sin and to hear when You call us. Give us an extensive and substantive reach, as we hear Your call to serve others. Energize us, as Your love works through us. In Your gracious and holy name, Amen.
—Contributed by Erin Smith
Tuesday, November 10
Scripture:
When a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him. He spoke by the way of a parable:
“The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up.
Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, be-cause it had no moisture.
Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out.
Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” Luke 8:4-8
I used to teach my catechism students that a “parable” was an earthly story or act with a heavenly meaning. Jesus used special stories to tell truths to his disciples, both biblically and for today’s understanding. His 40+ different parables in the New Testament fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 6: 9-10. Like a two-edged sword, the parables of Jesus cut both ways. They enlightened those who sought the truth and blinded those who were disobedient.
In the Parable of the Seeds and the Soils, Jesus is talking about the spreading of seed as the teaching or preaching of God’s word. He is telling the hearer that seed that is sown carelessly, or in poor soil, or on land infested with thorns is unfruitful. It is the fertile soil that produces abundantly and assures a good harvest of believers.
The text is telling us as believers to share God’s word faithfully and generously, not becoming discouraged because it appears that much of the seed is wasted, or that our message of God’s love through Jesus is for whatever reason not heard by others. The important part of this passage is that each of us share the word of God. The rest must be left up to God.
Heavenly Father, place on our hearts and our lips the seed of God and help us to remain patient and kind in our attempts to bring those we love to know Jesus in a more personal and intimate way. The word of God calls for each of us to be evangelists in our words and deeds. Help each of us Lord to reach out and bring others to you. In Jesus name we pray.” Amen.
—Rev. Vernon Graham
Wednesday, November 11
Scripture:
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord Psalm 22: 27
The song, “All the Ends of the Earth” sings of heaven, earth and sea all praising God in exultation. Indeed, we – creatures and creation alike – can “Break into song at the deeds of the Lord.”
Every pebble, tree, brooklet and mewling kitten; each birdsong, season, greening meadow and hushed snowfall; scores of ageless stars, summer solstices, storms, and even lowly mud puddles – all, by the very dint of their being, exist in Him, and He in them. Look on these entities to remember Him, for all are perfect in Him, each in its own joyful way….
How can one not recall and worship the glory of God when sensing any of these marvelous experiences? How can we fail to stand, hat in hand, when we gaze upon cotton-candy clouds, hear the holiness of children laughing, taste the sweetness of a Honeycrisp apple or feel a lover’s heartbeat?
Oh, Lord, grant that Your glory may be reflected in each task we do, and please make each day a simple prayer of reflection, worship and gratitude for enriching our lives so dearly. You didn’t have to do it but You did – Thank You so much! Amen.
—Contributed by Barb Sieminski
Thursday, November 12
Scripture:
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD of hosts!
2My soul longs, indeed it faints
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
to the living God.
3Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my King and my God.
4Happy are those who live in your house,
ever singing your praise.
5Happy are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6As they go through the valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
7They go from strength to strength;
the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
8O Lord GOD of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!
9Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed.
10For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness.
11For the Lord GOD is a sun and shield;
he bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does the LORD withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
12O LORD of hosts,
happy is everyone who trusts in you. Psalm 84
“How lovely is Your dwelling place, oh, Lord Almighty!” How timely this scripture is as we still float on the joy and wonder of our Seeds of Faith celebrations of only a few weeks ago. With the newly adopted ELCA hymn of the same name, it is particularly endearing to us at Trinity.
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.” With the blessings of Seeds of Faith, is our Trinity family being asked to move toward pilgrimage? Pilgri-mage begs of movement, action. Should we as a church feel we should be reaching out to our community?
Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to move you?
I was arriving to a meeting at Trinity a few weeks ago. It was 8pm, all the lights were on in the new parking lot, and the façade of the building was lit up. I was late to the meeting, so I wasn’t paying attention to much but the clock. A scruffy-looking man was passing on foot through our parking lot. He sort of startled me, by saying, without breaking his stride, “Isn’t the church beautiful?!” I was so taken aback, feeling ashamed for 1) being afraid of this kind fellow, and 2) not paying attention to the beautifully-lit front of the building. My response was, “Yes, it is beautiful isn’t it?”
To be sure, our new facilities at Trinity are stunning. But brick and mortar do not a church make. This gorgeous building is merely the façade of the real beauty within – Christ’s people. WE are his church. WE must be the hand that reaches out as the Holy Spirit moves us.
Dear Father, help us to keep our trust in You, to love as You have taught us to love, to show others of Your beauty not just by where we are, but by who we are. Amen.
—Contributed by Erin Smith
Friday, November 13
Scripture: Acts 18:1-4 [See Monday, November 9]
This passage in scripture gives us a picture of ancient Corinthians as well as Paul’s vocation as a craftsman, as a tent builder. The important part of this passage is found in verse 4 when the word of God proclaims that Paul was in the Jewish Synagogue, each and every Sabbath day reasoning, arguing, and spreading the Gospel about Jesus Christ as the way to Salvation. Can you imagine the courage of a lay person, to stand up for Jesus in the religious house of another religious group today. We would be seen as trying to steal members, intolerant of diversity, or not at all sane at least. Yet, what testimony of faith to all of us as to what following Jesus and reaching out to others is all about.
According to a recent national survey, people who join a church come for a variety of reasons.
The 3 main reasons are:
A friend or a neighbor invited them. 74 %
The Congregation had a great pastor. 9 %
The Location or the Church Facilities. 4 %
We, at Trinity English Lutheran Church, can reach out and double the size of our congregation in a year’s time. Won’t you become like Paul, and invite someone who doesn’t attend church to Trinity English Lutheran Church next Sunday.
Heavenly Father, we pray to you today to hear our prayers. Bless all the family and friends of Trinity Lutheran Church today. Help each of us to show our love for you by sharing our love for others wherever we go today, by our actions and our words. Amen.
—Contributed by Pastor Vernon Graham
Saturday, November 14
I’ve been involved in Hispanic mission in the Fort Wayne area for 15 years – teaching ENL (English as a New Language) to both adults and my young high school students and organizing mission outreach to Hispanic families. This passage from Romans was especially meaningful to me as I would organize any of our outreach functions, and I would routinely tell the volunteers how I admired their “feet”.
Paul is very practical as he writes in his letter about all the people out there just waiting for the Good News. “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”
In what shape are your feet these days? As a high school ENL teacher who stands in uncomfortable shoes all day, there are times I’d like to just lop off my feet; I certainly don’t feel like pulling more duty on them! But, oh, what joy comes from doing the Lord’s work! We open our hearts to the Lord and we find we’re filled with the Holy Spirit, energized with faith, and that nudge from the Lord to move our feet is joyful!
Father, bless my soul, move my spirit, and use my feet to bring good news to all who would hear it! Amen.
—Contributed by Erin Smith
For a printable PDF version of this week's Devotionals, click here.
Sunday, November 1
Scripture: John 11:26-26
Jesus said to Martha, “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?” John 11: 25-26
November 1 is All Saints’ Day and we, who have had a loved one that was dear to us die, know how comforting it is to hear Jesus say, “I am the resurrection and the life.” For death is an unwelcome guest without Jesus, the resurrection and the life, since death without Jesus robs us of our loved ones forever.
Little is known about Martha’s brother Lazarus, who had just died when Jesus told her that he is the resurrection and the life. Was he a younger or older brother? What was his place in the household of Martha and their sister Mary? He never says a word in the Gospels and yet, we know that he was loved by his sisters and Jesus. Therefore, when Jesus raised him from the dead to live again with Martha and Mary here on earth, they all must have rejoiced, because they were able to be together again.
We also can rejoice even when our loved ones die and do not return to this mortal life, since Jesus is the resurrection and the life and in Christ, we have eternal life. Therefore, even though we cannot be together in person, we can be together in faith and look forward to the day when we will be reunited in God’s eternal home.
“Do you believe this?” Jesus asks. Martha said, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” In believing, Martha then found comfort and strength to live anew with hope and joy—and so do we.
Eternal God, as we remember the saints that have nurtured us with your love and now sing your praises in your eternal home, increase our faith in you so that our sorrow can turn to joy and we can be lifted up to live in you now and forevermore. Amen.
—Contributed by Pastor Fred Hasecke
Monday, November 2
Scripture: Psalm 34:1
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Always
I breathe continually. My heart beats constantly. My brain functions perpetually.
These are automatic, involuntary mechanisms and wonderful and necessary as they may be, I have little control over their function. Thanks be to God!
There are factors over which I do exercise almost complete control—when I go to bed, when I rise, and, to a great degree, that which occupies my mind when I am awake. I busy my consciousness with all sorts of matters: the weather, the news, people to be contacted, places I need to be, places I need to be sure others join me.
What the psalmist reminds us is that our days and lives can so easily be filled with other matters. Our awareness of the challenges and distractions all around us can easily crowd out that activity which is the foundation upon which all other worthy thoughts and actions are built: the constant praise of the God who formed and loves us. This day and throughout our earthly journeys, may our blessing rise to God, praises be forefront. The remainder of our responsibilities and cares will well flow from that ground of our being.
Let me praise you, O God, as I rise and move, work and attend, conclude and retire for the night. All that I have and hope to be finds source and grace in your love. Bless you for your blessings, O God, now and forever. Amen.
—Contributed by Pastor Kathy Haller
Tuesday, November 3
Scripture: John 11:1-5, 17-27
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. 3So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." 4But when Jesus heard it, he said, "This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." 5Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, 17When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, 19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. 21Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him." 23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." 25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 27She said to him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world."
Waiting
Some of us wait patiently, hands folded quietly in our laps. Some of us occupy ourselves with other activities, glancing up just often enough to indicate that we haven’t forgotten about that for which we wait. More than a few of us stand at the window, peering in the direction from which we expect to see some relief.
I can imagine Martha and Mary waiting. Surely their message had been received! Certainly he knew the urgency of their need! When Martha finally heard he was on the way, she could wait no longer but ran out to meet him, not wishing to lose another important moment of time. Yet, the outcome was already complete. Lazarus who had died, as we all do, to this earthly life was still in the presence of the Lord. Jesus came to him, as he comes to us, and told those who loved him to unbind him and let him go. Ultimately, that is what we each must learn to do with those we love, trusting that Jesus knows and that they will rise again—and so will we. All of this we await, as did Martha and Mary, with anxious watching, waiting, and confession: Yes, Lord, I believe you are the Messiah, the One coming into the world. And so he has come. And so, he does for us and for all time…in his time.
Dear Giver of Life, you have blessed us with this good life and with one another. Help us wait faithfully and fully, using the gifts you have given, including the gift of faith in your love, care, and coming. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
—Contributed by Pastor Kathy Haller
Wednesday, November 4
Scripture: Luke 10:38-42
38Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. 40But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." 41But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42there is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."
The Perpetual Challenge
One of the beloved as well as maddening things about this story of the every day interchange between Mary and Martha (no doubt unsettling for brother Lazarus, as well) is the very human struggles we witness. Is her way better than mine? Is it more important to be here or there? Whether by personality or situation, Mary and Martha, both friends of Jesus and sister to Lazarus, arrive at differing conclusions. Yet Jesus loved and accompanied them still along life’s journey.
Various life and faith situations challenge us now. The choices we make may cause others (even ourselves) to question our faith or sense. Mary and Martha’s different resolutions did not change Jesus’ love for them. As we welcome Jesus daily in our lives, may we be guided by his counsel and chastened by his love for us all.
Merciful God, when our sights are limited and our tolerance slight, be our mediator. Help us be gentle with and forbearing of one another as you are with and for us, now and eternally. Amen.
—Contributed by Pastor Kathy Haller
Thursday, November 5
Scripture: John 11:43b-44
Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:43b-44
We may hear Jesus’ words “unbind him, and let him go” not just in connection with Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead, but also in connection with the many things that can keep us from living the life that God has created us to have since the beginning of time.
The Lord has always wanted us to rejoice in the blessings that God has given us by being faithful to God and sharing them with our neighbors. But sometimes fear may overcome us along with frustration, anxiety, anger and a whole host of other feelings that can keep us for enjoying God’s gifts and using them in ways that not only please God, but also us.
The economy has been on a lot of persons’ minds over the last year or so. Many have lost their jobs and, thus, they have had to make some severe and even troubling sacrifices. Retirements that were being planned are being put on hold and things as basic as what to buy for dinner have had to be changed. This can be troublesome. It can be binding and paralyzing. It can keep us from living.
The Lord, however, says to us all, “Unbind them, and let them go,” so that we will be our neighbor’s keeper and gratefully accept the gifts God is giving us to live. Among those gifs are food, shelter and clothing, but among them is also the spiritual reassurance that God has not forgotten us and, thus, as the Lord raised Lazarus from the dead, so will Christ raise us from all of life’s trials and tribulations.
And so, dear Lord, we come to you, thanking you for your promise to deliver us from everything that would rob us of our life with you, for therein lies your glory and our joy. Amen.
—Contributed by Pastor Fred Hasecke
Friday, November 6
Scripture: Psalm 34: 1, 3
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34, which was appointed for this past Sunday, recalls the amazing things that God has done in and for the life of the author. Recognizing such goodness, it is no surprise that the psalmist ecstatically responds that God’s “praise shall continually be in my mouth.” But the human response doesn’t even stop there, does it? We, the readers are invited (perhaps even goaded) to discover this intimate relationship with God, too. Not passively; not from a distance. “TASTE and SEE that the Lord is good.” Furthermore, we are encouraged to actively share it: “…let us exalt his name together.”
So how can we intimately taste and see God? Of course, the scriptures offer us much enlightenment. Equally important for me, however, is the gift of the faith community. For there are countless times I have seen God’s face and “tasted” the sweetness of God’s grace-filled love through other “ordinary” people of faith. Perhaps that is why it is difficult for me to hear the names read of those saints who no longer walk the halls of Trinity English. (The reality is that, while I have sought to nurture and deepen the faith of those who seek God in this place, my life has been transformed by those whom I have been called to serve.)
As life’s procession continues to move forward, let us be mindful of the ways that we have seen (and continue to see) God through the lives of the saints - on earth and in heaven. (God is present if we dare to look.) And let us be emboldened by their example to actively and passionately invite others to taste God’s love - in this place where we gather to worship and in the world that yearns for the goodness that only God can provide. (God is present if we dare to share.)
Taste.
See.
Together.
Dear God, Creator of all good things, we thank you for the ways we have been impacted by those special ones who have lived, died, and live again in you. Following their example, may we strive to discover new ways to praise you – in our words and in our actions. And in doing so, may your name be exalted. Amen.
—Contributed by Bob Hobby
Saturday, November 7
Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46
Shine your light
I read somewhere that “saints are persons through whom God’s light shines.” Over the years I’ve seen God’s light shining in all sorts of places and circumstances. I imagine the same is true for you.
Often we think of saints as super luminaries, rare and dazzling in wattage and seen slightly more or less often than Haley’s Comet. While there are saints of that hyper-bright magnitude, most of the illumination for life’s journey comes from ordinary light sources: the neighbors, teachers, business owners, friends, family members and others who, through thick and thin, provide sustaining enough shine for us to follow wherever God leads us next.
Many of you serve as such light for others—for family, friends, and community, for Trinity members and staff, for my family and for me. Likely you don’t recall what you did that caused you to be a person “through whom God’s light shines.” Apparently, that is exactly the way it is with God’s saints across the ages: Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. Matthew 25:37-40
Dear God, shine on and in us through your Son. Lead us in paths of righteousness and let our light shine so brightly that others will see our good works and give glory to you. Amen.
—Contributed by Pastor Kathy Haller
For a printable PDF version of this week's Devotionals, click here.
Sunday, October 25
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 34:1-2
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his ancestor David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
Josiah became King Josiah at the age of 8. That’s a big responsibility for a second grader! His reign came after that of his father’s, King Amon, and his grandfather’s, King Manasseh. Both had turned away from worshipping God and practiced idolatry.
When Josiah was older, he set out to purge Judah of those things used for idolatrous worship. He ordered that the Temple be restored. In the midst of restoring the temple, God’s Holy Word was recovered and revealed. Josiah had the words read and he tore his clothes in repentance and wept bitter tears.
The prophetess Huldah was consulted in order to learn of God’s plans for the people. She said, “God will bring great trouble to those who turned from God’s ways and bowed down to idols. But because King Josiah humbled his heart and wept tears of sorrow for the sins of his people, they will not be punished while Josiah lives.” Josiah ordered that everyone should come to Jerusalem so that they could hear God’s Word.
As we observe Reformation Sunday on October 25, we are reminded of Martin Luther’s efforts to translate God’s Word into German, the language of his fellow citizens. God used Josiah to turn people back to God’s Word. God also used Luther to turn people back to God’s Word.
As we study, read, contemplate, and listen for God to speak to us through God’s Word, may we, too, turn again to God in obedience and repentance. May we turn again to God with thanksgiving for all of God’s blessings. May we turn again to God as we proclaim God’s never ending love for all people through the witness of our lives.
Lord, keep us steadfast in your Word. Give us eyes to behold you, ears to listen for your Word, a heart to love you, and a life to proclaim you. Amen.
—Contributed by Pastor Dan Fugate
Monday, October 26
Reformation
The word derives from the root, reform, which means, according to Webster, “to improve by alteration, correction of error, removal of defects; put in a better form or condition.”
Martin Luther was a reformation man, having left his legal studies upon graduating in 1505 to enter the monastery. By 1512 he earned a doctorate in theology. Any Lutheran worth his or her salt knows the rest of the story. Where would we be without his effort and courage to reform himself, creating the basis of our beliefs?
As I reflect upon Reformation Sunday, my favorite part includes the music and more specifically the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress.” As a Lutheran child I grew up listening to that hymn being played in the ordinary fashion, i.e., just what is printed in the first red hymnal. When I came to Trinity in 1991, I was absolutely awestruck to hear it in a totally new way, a reformed way, particularly the third verse—the devil verse. It reformed my image of that piece forever as well as reformed my views on Reformation. I look forward to hearing it every time it is played to hear what the organist will create on that verse to provide an auditory feast that conjures up vivid visual images of what the text is saying. In all the years I have heard it, it still brings tears to my eyes, not sad ones but ones of great joy and exuberance that I can once again witness and feel (literally) from the choir pews the powerful struggle of the devil wrestling with God, and God’s wrath until He subdues him despite the devil’s fruitless attempts to break through. It ends with a satisfying single note which can either be evil reduced or God’s single last word. It is one of the most powerful spiritual experiences I have. It reforms me and my joy of worship every time I hear it.
Lord I thank you for reformers like Martin Luther who had the call and the courage to reform his life and dedicate it to what he believed in the most. Help us to confront our struggles with the same passion and commitment through your most guided hand. Nothing can be accomplished without it. Calm our devils and subdue them to your will. In your most precious name I pray. Amen.
—Contributed by Ann Rettenmaier
Tuesday, October 27
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 34:31-33
And the king stood his place, and made covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep His commandments and his testimonies and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book. And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God. And all his days they departed not from following the Lord, the God of their fathers.
The story in 2 Chronicles 34 centers on Josiah. Josiah, son of King Amon and mother Jedidah became the King of Judah at age 8. He reigned for 31 years. Part of Josiah’s legacy is that at age 20, he began to clean up Judah and Jerusalem, destroying the heathen alters and idols in the hills. Josiah learned from the High Priest that a scroll was found in the Temple containing the Laws of God. When Josiah discovered the reason for God’s wrath on Judah and Israel was due to the ancestors not obeying the laws, he “rent his clothes in despair.” He then gathered the elders and all the people to the Temple and read the scrolls to them. He then required everyone in Jerusalem to make a pledge to the Lord and to follow His commandments.
As I reflect upon this scripture, I think of how often God uses youth to bring His message to the people. Josiah’s story told in 2 Chronicles is an example of this as well as well as the stories of David, Daniel, and others. Trinity is blessed to have so many young people ministering to us through music, drama, puppeteers, liturgical dance, lectors, ushers, Sunday school assistants and other roles. Our youth serve the church, the local community through service projects, and through mission trips to Appalachia, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina victims in Mississippi to name a few. The example of Josiah stresses the importance of nurturing our youth and continuing to honor their contributions to the overall ministries of Trinity.
Dear Lord, we thank you for the contributions of youth in bringing your message to others. Continue to bless those who nurture our youth—parents, teachers, Sunday school teachers, confirmation leaders, pastors, music and drama directors and others who serve as mentors. Help our youth, like Josiah, to walk after the Lord.
—Contributed by Dave Fisher
Wednesday, October 28
Reflection on Reformation
As we read in Ann Rettenmaier’s devotion this week, the word reform means to improve by alteration, correction of error, removal of defects, put in a better form or condition.
Anyone who has had a major lifestyle change can attest to the reformation that takes place. The loss of a loved one, a health crisis, unemployment, dealing with an empty nest, move from home to assisted living all signal times of reforming. This past year I started a new job, had three surgeries including rehab and suffered the loss of a family member among other changes. Each event caused me to reform. Going through complications and rehab after a total knee replacement last spring was a humbling experience. During times of challenge and crisis, we often reform our concepts of faith and the role God and our faith plays in our life. There were times when I was so overwhelmed that I questioned where God was in my life. Every reformation is an opportunity to call upon our faith. Our faith is our foundation; our rock in times of trouble. Without faith and the belief that I would somehow complete eight grueling weeks of physical therapy, would return to work full time, and be able to walk with pain, I would have had a tough time getting in the car to get to rehab. Faith is at the center of any reformation.
Dear Lord, be present to us in times of challenge and change. Help us to rely on our faith and trust in you to be our rock during difficult times. As we go through times of reformation, work through us and in us so that we may feel your strength and power in our lives. Amen.
—Contributed by Kathy Wildermuth
Thursday, October 29
Scripture: Huldah, God’s priestess; 2 Chronicles 34:22-28
So Hilkiah and those whom the king had sent went to the prophet Huldah, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe (who lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter) and spoke to her to that effect. She declared to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Tell the man who sent you to me, Thus says the LORD: I will indeed bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book that was read before the king of Judah. Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, so that they have provoked me to anger with all the works of their hands, my wrath will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched. But as to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall you say to him: Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, because your heart was penitent and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me, and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, says the LORD. I will gather you to your ancestors and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring on this place and its inhabitants." They took the message back to the king.
This section of 2 Chronicles describes how the High Priest of Judah consulted the priestess Huldah on behalf of King Josiah. Josiah had discovered that the Laws of God had not been followed which caused the wrath of God to be brought upon the inhabitants of Israel and Judah. Huldah revealed God’s message to Josiah. Josiah then led his people to keep the Lord’s commandments and serve the Lord.
I have to admit, before reading this passage for the devotional this week, I don’t recall ever hearing of Huldah. She is less well-known and less high-profile a priestess in the Bible than Deborah or Miriam, but her message changed her whole nation’s religious consciousness and practice and reignited their love for God. Since Josiah trusted in Huldah and her message, we can assume he believed her to be a woman of God and that she had a knowledge and understanding of God’s laws. In worship over the past few weeks, we have heard of other faithful women of God—Mary Magdelene, Ruth, and Naomi. Historically, women in the Bible have been portrayed in roles as deaconesses and faithful followers, but rarely as leaders or one who delivers God’s message directly as Huldah did. While female pastors are called to many parishes today, it has only been since 1976 that women have been ordained in the ELCA. I was a young woman in my 20’s at the time and was profoundly affected by the decision to ordain women. I was excited when Pastor Haller was called to serve Trinity and I considered parish ministry as a profession. Much like the controversy and threats to leave the ELCA based on the decision this past summer to allow churches to call gay pastors in committed relationships; there was a real outcry and some congregations sought to leave the church body over the ordination of women into ministry. The Lutheran Church Missiouri Synod still does not allow the ordination of women into ministry. Some of the prevailing thought was represented in an article “Question of Admission of Women into Church Office” by C.H. Little, a former Lutheran pastor and professor of theology. He commented on how women of the church had been granted voting power in the church and had been sent as delegates to synods and conferences. He speculates that then “next and final stage will be the admission of women into the pastorate” which he strongly opposes based on scripture. He cites scriptural passages: “The first of these is 1 Cor. 14:34, ‘Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak in the church.’ And in the next verse it is said, ‘for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.’ In this passage, and in general throughout the chapter, St. Paul is giving counsel for decency and orderliness in the public worship of the congregation where both men and women are assembled for common public worship. He is careful to explain what he means by keeping silence in the churches. It is that they are not allowed to speak or address the congregation, or preach a sermon.” …The other passage bearing upon this point is 1Tim. 2:11-13, which reads, “let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve.’ This passage not only excludes women from the pastorate, but also from every other office in the church in which she would be ‘exerting dominion over the man.’ This certainly excludes her from the church councils of the congregations.” He goes on to explain that this doesn’t exclude women from singing in the choir, becoming a deaconess, teaching Sunday School or a serving as a missionary: “It leaves a wide sphere of activity open to women for faithful and laudable service; but not the ministry or the subordinate office of those who are the minister’s assistants.”
Granted, these words were written many years ago, but there are many who still adhere to this way of thinking and interpretation of scripture. Today, there are 2,870 ordained women in the ELCA and six female synod bishops. Trinity has been fortunate to be served by women clergy and celebrated when one of our daughters of the congregation, Melody Brindel was ordained. Women serve the church in many capacities following in the path of women such as Huldah—lay leaders, Associates-in-Ministry, pastors, parish nurses, Sunday School teachers, parish musicians, communion assistants, business managers and many other roles. The leadership of women of the church is still evolving.
Dear Lord, we thank you for the faithful service of women in the church throughout the years. Help us to continue to recognize the contributions of women and encourage young women to serve and lead our congregations. Amen.
—Contributed by Kathy Wildermuth
Friday, October 30
Scripture: Psalm 46: 1-2
This scripture passage is well-known and often quoted by Christians:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth be moved and mountains crumble into the midst of the sea. The concept of God as our refuge and strength is contained throughout the Psalms. Psalm 9:9: The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed. A refuge in times of trouble. And in Psalm 62:7-8: In God is my salvation and my glory. The rock of my strength and my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, ye people, pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Many hymns and anthems are based on these scriptures. The foundation of our faith is our trust in God. Our faith tells us that even when our foundations are shaken, God is there for us as our rock, our refuge, our strength. What have we to fear when God is on our side? These psalm verses are the inspiration for the anthem of the Reformation, Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress is our God.” Let us take time to reflect on those inspirational lyrics:
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.
That Word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.
Dear Lord, you are our rock, our refuge and our strength. In times of trouble, despair, illness, grief, anxiety—help us to trust in you and your promise to us. Though our foundations be shaken, we have faith in you to lift us up and keep us safe. Amen.
—Contributed by Tim Robison
Saturday, October 31
Scripture: Psalm 46:2 [See Friday, October 30]
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 34 [See Tuesday, October 27 and Thursday, October 29]
We are all familiar with the Reformation inspired by Martin Luther’s nailing of 95 Theses on the door of the cathedral in Wittenberg in 1517. The Reformation had taken place many times before and continues to take place even to this day. In 2 Chronicles 34, King Josiah set out to learn of the God of his father. With the help of the priestess Huldah, reformed the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Jesus reformed the world through his death and resurrection when he bore our sins on the cross. We were reformed when we received Jesus’ mercy through the sacrament of baptism. We are reformed again each time we confess our sins and receive forgiveness via Holy Communion. Reformation is not a single point in time; it is a process that takes place constantly in our hearts as long as we allow God to work within us and through us and to continually change and improve ourselves in His sight.
Dear Lord, help to keep our hearts and minds open to you that we may be reformed to better do your will and serve your people.
—Contributed by Mary & Bill Richey
For a printable PDF version of this week's Devotionals, click here.
Sunday, October 18
Scripture: Colossians 4:10
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him.
God’s healing hand is a wondrous power that restores our heart and soul, mind and body as nothing else can, because it can overcome the deepest wounds and bridge the widest chasms. All of us can attest to God’s healing hand in our recovering from an illness or an accident. It is nothing short of a miracle that can make us whole again through caregivers and loved ones and bring us into God’s eternal home if death should come.
But God’s healing hand also is at work in mending broken relationships. In writing to the Colossians, Paul instructs the Colossians to welcome Mark. This is a good example of God’s healing hand at work in a broken relationship, because Paul and Mark did not always get along. In fact, Paul refused to have Mark join him and Barnabas when Paul and Barnabas were planning to revisit some churches and it contributed to Paul and Barnabas’s disagreement and parting of company. But now Paul commends Mark to the Colossians and that is thanks to the healing hand of God, which binds us together in Christ.
Many things can lead to our need for God’s healing hand and disagreements are among them, but the Lord is here to restore our health and make us one in Christ by raising us up to a new life of love and forgiveness, patience and understanding and so, we thank God for God’s healing hand in our lives.
Eternal God, whose healing hand restores our health and makes us one in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior: We thank you for the life you have given us and we ask you to lead us in being your instruments of healing in all that we say and do. Amen.
—Contributed by Pastor Fred Hasecke
Monday, October 19
Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28
Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.” But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, “Send her away; for she crieth after us.” But he answered and said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then came she and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.” But he answered and said, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs. [A term the Jews used for Gentiles.] And said, “Truth, Lord; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said unto her, “O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
In a nut shell, some commentaries simply explain these verses as Jesus had come to preach to the Jews and found great faith where it was not expected, from a Gentile woman. He rewarded her faith and healed her child.
There were several words that stood out as I read these verses from Matthew…faith, mercy, worshipped, made whole…but what stood out the most for me was the persistence of the mother of the distressed child. I imagine every parent can quickly get in touch with…relate to…wrap their heart around…how desperately the Canannite woman wanted health and well-being for her child, even challenging Jesus maybe at the risk of her very life. Is there any person we would not approach, any length to which we wouldn’t go, to seek healing for an afflicted child? This woman knew what she wanted and she was willing to go toe-to-toe, so to speak, in requesting healing. When times are difficult and we are faced with illness and it is tough to see our way, we typically may feel hopeless, confused, overwhelmed, vulnerable, dismissed, and easily discouraged! God encourages us to work and strive for what we need. I have never been a huge fan of the comedy of Jerry Lewis, but I have tremendous admiration for his determination to cure disease and promote healing for millions of children.
I have had a career in the health care system for 30 years. What attracted me to this field was the idea that God had blessed us with amazing bodies. Our responsibility was to learn to take care of them to the best of our abilities. I haven’t always been able to achieve that on a personal level, always struggling with weight issues, but it has always been my goal.
There is so much in today’s society that is counterproductive to the good health that God desires for us…drug and alcohol abuse, obesity, smoking, addiction to sex and pornography, worry, stress, and agitation. All of these things lead us away from God. When we feel closer to God, we naturally find more harmony, joy, freedom, love and more strength to resist that which is harmful to us. Like the Cannonite woman, let us dedicate ourselves to be persistent in seeking, promoting, and valuing good health for all God’s children.
Lord, We praise you for the gifts of spirit, mind, and body. We are so grateful that you created mind to think, spirit to soar, life to thrive, and soul to sing. Help us when we feel separated from you and draw us close so that we may be persistent in prayerfully requesting what we need. Give us the ability to care for our bodies responsibly. Help us to be mindful of those afflicted with disease. Enable us to promote health and well-being for all. Amen.
—Contributed by Judy Larry
Tuesday, October 20
Scripture: Mark 6:53-56
When they came into Gennesaret and moored to the shore, people recognized him and began to bring the sick from all over the countryside. For any who touched even the hem of his garment, there was healing. Wherever he went people brought the sick to be healed.
When I became a widow in the spring of 1999, my life took so many turns in different directions. I found myself faced with decisions that I had never had to make before. I soon became aware that I was receiving help from a greater power and that I was receiving the healing I needed to move on with my life. Sometimes we must trust that God will provide whatever we need and be patient in waiting for his answer.
Dear God, we pray for the healing and guidance to overcome anything that comes to us. Help us to listen to what you are telling us to do and to have the faith to accept the healing power that comes only from you and your dear son, in whose name we offer this prayer. Amen.
—Contributed by Janet Grogg
Wednesday, October 21
Scripture: Luke 10:1-9
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
The Lord sends us out into various places to increase the Kingdom of God; the harvest is plentiful but there are few workers. He requests that we pray for those laborers, and to rely on His provisions. He then explains that we are being sent as “lambs amidst wolves.”
What are lambs like? They are soft, gentle, warm, innocent, meek, vulnerable, trusting and growing…generally a safe animal to be around.
Lord, increase the workers in this Ft. Wayne harvest. Make us like lambs as it pleases you while we work the harvest.
—Contributed by Rosemary Ertel
Thursday, October 22
Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
2Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits —
3who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Picture a young family in a 1930-ish Ford. Picture a Sunday drive in the country, with a promise to stop for ice cream sodas in a small town along the way. Now add the ironic finishing touch: Out in no-man’s-land, we are trapped in a violent rainstorm. The sky is black, the thunder is shaking the heavens, lightning strikes close, rain comes down like steel pellets on the top of our car. Conversation is at a standstill. Then one of the small children says simply, “Don’t worry, tomorrow the sun will shine again.”
Miss Pollyanna. The eternal optimist. Maybe as a child, I qualified, trusting that whatever sound and fury happened, our parents together with God would bring things back to where they should be. The psalmist in our reading also filled with trust. He sings praises for help from the Lord, who heals our diseases, satisfies our desires with good things, and makes us young again.
But physical wellbeing in these verses is always proceeded by the soul’s health. The first five verses of Psalm 103 are a paean to spiritual wellness, to an area of trust, love and compassion provided by God. When we seek forgiveness, it is there for us. With our sins forgiven, we pray for earthly things also, including health. In prayer, we commit both body and soul to trust in our Lord. And like the psalmist, we praise and thank God for His grace.
I woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and finally admitted it: I’m old. My vital signs, though not my mobility, seem relatively good. I use a walker to walk the dog. I cannot climb stairs. Many of us are like that in the senior community where I live and I’m sure many of us wonder what will surface in the not-too-distant future. The Catholic author Flannery O’Connor, sick for years with lupus before she died at age 39, wrote that her long illness was a blessing, helping her to prepare for death. A final illness, whether long or only of a moment’s notice, is given for us all. But all believers in our risen and healing Lord can say, in whatever storm we find ourselves, “Tomorrow the sun will shine again.”
Lord, thank you for your healing love given both for our body and soul. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
—Contributed by Ellie Sebold
Friday, October 23
Devotion for theme of Healing and Health
Scripture: Colossians 4:2; 5-14
2Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.
5Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts; 9he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions — if he comes to you, welcome him. 11And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. 13For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.
Let my thoughts and words be acceptable to your sight, my Strength and my Redeemer. Amen.
Background for this text: Approximate date, 60 A.D. While still a prisoner in Rome, Paul wrote this letter to his faithful Christian workers in the city of Colossae.
Text from J.B. Phillips translation.
Here are greetings of love, affection and encouragement. Beginning with v.5 we see evidence of Paul’s concern for the outsiders, the non-Christians, whom his workers will undoubtedly encounter.
Continuing with v.7 Paul willingly shares his ministry and affirms those who work with him. These are sincere compliments—words like “beloved” and “faithful”—to those who are working to spread the good news of the Gospel.
The passage also validates two Christian Jews working beside him. Mark and Justus persevered at times when Paul’s own people often rejected him and his message.
Finally the passage concludes with words of hope in times when success was not always easily seen. What an instructional lesson for us at Trinity English! How do we respond to the ministries that God places before us? How can we nourish the seeds of faith to mature and grow?
We find them by responding to needs that confront us daily. These “opportunities for ministry” often appear without our realizing them—in a carpool, with the neighbor across the street or next door, at our desk or in a market. We can respond to a need; speak to some lonely person; congratulate another’s accomplishment; open ourselves to a charity’s need; meet with someone looking for companionship; volunteer for church or community service; offer a prayer for someone else’s needs and deeds.
In this time when our church is seeking ways to provide help and healing for our community, here are ministries which are provided by our Lord himself. When we pursue such opportunities and challenges, we can soon discover a tremendously gratifying adventure of faith.
Healing and enabling God, help us individually and as a church to be dedicated to service; may we grow in our faith and then dare to meet the extraordinary tasks set before us. In his service we pray. Amen.
—Contributed by Kurt Jordan
Saturday, October 24
Scripture: Psalm 103:19-22
19The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20Bless the LORD, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
obedient to his spoken word.
21Bless the LORD, all his hosts,
his ministers that do his will.
22Bless the LORD, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul.
The verses 19-22 are the final verses in a Psalm divided into four stanzas
In the first six verses, we read of David blessing the Lord for giving his iniquity, healing him from disease, raising him from the Pit, and crowing him with steadfast love and mercy. In verses 6-14, David praises God for his kingship over Israel. The familiar words “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” are included in this text. In verses 15-18, we are reminded that as mortals our days are numbered, but the steadfast love of God is from everlasting to everlasting to those who fear him, keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. Verses 19-22 are the final four verses of Psalm 103. They include universal and individual praise to God. Just as his heavenly host has been loyal to God praising him always, God expects the same from his creatures on earth.
As I was reading and studying this final portion of Psalm 103, I received word of a new great nephew, Aed Andrew Church, born to our niece, Corrie, and her husband, Ian. They are in Scotland where Ian is doing graduate work at the University of St. Andrews. Picking Andrew for his middle named seems an obvious choice… But Aed??? Corrie and Ian wrote, “Aed is an old Gaelic name meaning fire. It is our prayer that our son, by the grace of God, will be a light in this dark world—that he would have a heart that burns for Jesus and his truth. We pray that he will be a refining fire in the hands of the Lord, discerning worth from waste, virtue from vice, truth from false.” They ended their writing with “praise the Lord for the safe delivery of their healthy boy and praying for the Lord’s nearness to him in all the years to come.”
It is this nearness to the Lord that is the reason for our daily blessing of the Lord in all his works, in all the places of his dominion.
Dear Lord, lead your children to have hearts that burn for Jesus and be refined so that we can discern worth from waste, virtue from vice and truth from false. Amen.
—Contributed by Cindy Goshert
For a printable PDF version of this week's Devotionals, click here.
Sunday, October 11
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10b, 11
“Let each of us take care to build on a solid foundation. Remember, there is only one foundation—Jesus Christ.”
How is your faith foundation? I ask it of myself as well as of you, Trinity Church, whose members have varied backgrounds, joys, needs, emotions, talents, ways of expressing faith, is called together by God, nurtured for sharing with one another and others. Our foundation is not a political philosophy or a social philosophy. It is the Christ, the way He taught, the way He lived, the He shared, the way He suffered, the way He died, the way He rose from the dead…that we may have life now and eternally. In the words of the ancient Latin hymn:
“Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ our head and cornerstone.”
O Lord, thank you for providing us with a solid faith foundation and help us to respond to your amazing grace in the ways we live and speak and share with others. In Christ’s name, Amen.
—Contributed by Pastor Richard Frazier
Monday, October 12
It is good to proclaim the Lord’s love in the morning and His faithfulness at night to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and melody of the harp (Psalm 92:2-3). First it is good to praise the Lord who is our Rock. Our Lord is the stone whom the builders rejected but which has become the capstone (Acts 4:8-11) or the top stone of structure. For just as Christ was crucified, God raised Him from the dead, seating Him at His right hand.
But there is another Rock whom we praise. When Jesus asks the apostles who He is, Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Then Jesus tells Peter that he is the rock on whom He will build the Church (Matthew 16:16).
—Contributed by Sarah Long
Tuesday, October 13
Scripture: Acts 4:8-13
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, 10let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11This Jesus is
'the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.'
12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.
“It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom you have crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” Peter, who was an uneducated, ordinary man, was put into prison for healing a crippled beggar. The rulers, elders and teachers of the law asked Peter “By what power or what name did you do this?” Peter told them, “the stone you builders rejected which has become the capstone. Jesus who is our sure foundation of the church.” It was Peter’s faith in Jesus Christ that healed the beggar. We as Christians must also have this faith in Jesus Christ.
Lord we pray that our faith will be strengthened each day as we read your word. Help us lead others to have this same faith. Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 17And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus gave the job to Simon Peter to build the church because Peter confessed that Jesus was “the Christ, the son of the living God.” Peter was a rock (petras in Greek) not because of personal strength but because the faith he confessed was firmly grounded on the rock, the stone foundation of Christ’s word.
Holy Spirit give us the strong conviction that Jesus is our Savior and Lord; the son of the living God. Guide us to plant the seeds of faith in our community, our schools, our work place, but most of all our families.
—Contributed by Lori Caron
Wednesday, October 14
Scripture: Matthew 16:18
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Good day, God’s day! I have always been interested in construction. My college education focused on construction and all but one of the various jobs I have held have been directly involved or related to construction. Through the years, there have been examples where the theory side of construction does not always agree with how things work out in the field. But one thing that will always remain consistent is the importance of a solid and true foundation. This is not only true in the world of construction but also in our Christian faith.
Time and time again we can physically witness the effects of a faulty foundation in buildings, roads and houses. Whether it is a hotel that is sinking, a road that is crumbling or a part of a house that is sagging, the source of the problem will typically be traced back to the foundation. Why do these things happen? Maybe someone tried to cut corners to save money, maybe the builders did not understand or research the requirements for an adequate design, or maybe the developer or owner didn’t care about the life of the structure and was interested in only a quick profit?
We can easily relate the above situations to our faith lives. The Bible is God’s word, the foundation, the rock, we are to build the church and our Christian lives upon. If we cut corners with the foundation of our Christian lives, our efforts will be in vain. When we start with God’s foundation and build with His word, our lives will stand the test of time and be witnesses to His glory.
—Contributed by David Burris
Thursday, October 15
Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19 (See Tuesday, Oct. 13, for printed passage.)
As you walk through life’s journey, do others accuse you of serving the Lord? What a compliment! Stand firm and be strong as you use your “seeds of faith” to help others and become a foundation rock. Peter was a foundation rock, Christ the capstone.
Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and so are we. The Spirit works in us to help others and show love as the hands and feet of the Lord. How are you sharing God’s good news of love and salvation? Perhaps you have been called to work with the church’s youth, our future leaders, or provide caring ministry with our senior members? “Seeds of faith” can challenge each of us to become active in at least one ministry; praying, teaching, serving, learning, and growing in relationship with Him.
Your “seeds of faith” can continue to grow. Walk and talk to the Lord on this journey through life. He is the capstone of our faith’s foundation just as He was for Peter. We are the rocks in the church’s foundation just as Peter was. Get involved in sharing your “seeds of faith” with others. The Lord saves us, gives us peace, comforts and strengthens us. He wants to be in close relationship with us. Pray and read his word. Talk to Him daily in devotion and Bible study.
Open your heart to God. He looks at your heart. The safest place to be is the center of His. Work toward that goal as He enables, guides, teaches and gives you courage to stand firm for Him as a strong foundation rock. Continue to confess your belief in the Trinity. Be one of the seeds growing in Fort Wayne. Share God’s love through Trinity’s English’s world missionaries. Don’t stand on the sidelines watching others serve and contribute. Get involved. Be active. Pray for enablement and see how God works wonders in His chosen when we listen to His instructions. His way is always better than our way. He has a plan for your life. Seek His help in carrying it out. Remember He is the capstone of your faith. He has given you talents to use for His glory. Ask guidance as you become His rock.
Gracious God, enable us to be in relationship with you our Father because we are part of your family. Thank you for making us in your image to love and serve others. Keep us close to you, our capstone rock, as we walk through life. Amen.
—Contributed by Chris Bickel
Friday, October 16
Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19 (See Tuesday, Oct. 13, for printed passage.)
Two important things happen in this passage. The first is that Jesus finds some reassurance of his own identity from his disciples. Not content merely with knowing what others might think he is, he wants to know that Peter believes him to be “the Messiah,” the Son of the living God. Jesus is also assured that Peter’s recognition is inspired by God and not simply by other men or worldly deeds. This assurance would have erased any doubts that Jesus had about his mission on earth.
The second important event is the elevation of Peter to a “successor” status. Jesus says he will build his church “on a rock.” The name “Peter” actually means “rock” in the original Greek texts. It is debatable how literally Peter should be considered as the foundation of the church, but there is no question that Peter is being given special status in the new church and is receiving the “keys of the kingdom.”
Dear Father, we are thankful that Jesus your Son was inspired to continue his mission on earth. We are thankful for the foundation of His church—your church—which we are a part of now. Amen.
—Contributed by Dennis Mahuren
Saturday, October 17
Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19 (see Tuesday, October 12); 14:22-23
22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.
When Can a Rock Float?
Now that may seem like a silly question. Of course a rock can’t float! You don’t need to be a scientist to figure that one out. Yet, it is this type of imagery that God uses in His word to help us understand the kind of power that He can wield through us if only we submit ourselves to Him. Jesus refers to Peter as the rock on which His church will be built in Matthew 16:18. Yet, just two chapters earlier, in Matthew 14:23-34, when Jesus comes to the disciples, walking across the water, in an attempt to suspend disbelief in what he is seeing, Peter asks the Lord, “If it is you, command me to come to you in the water.” Jesus says, “Come,” and Peter steps out onto the water. The “Rock” is floating! Is this a talent Peter knew he had? Absolutely not, because it is was not of his own doing that he was able to accomplish such a feat. It was only through his disbelief in the supernatural power of his Lord. Sure, he quickly doubt, when the winds buffeted him, and he began to sink. But Jesus reached out and took Peter’s hand and brought him to safety.
When God calls on you to step out of your boat and do something for Him that you don’t think you can, will put your faith in Him and get your feet wet. Remember, you will always have the comfort of knowing that His hand is never out of reach when you falter. You can take that step confidently, followed by another, and another, all the while setting the example God wants of you to all those sitting in the boat watching you.
When can a rock float? When it is upheld by the power of our gracious, loving God, in service to Him.
Good and gracious God, we often forget that, what may be a daunting task to us, can be made easier if only we can learn to rely on you. Help us to hear you when you call to us through the roaring winds and crashing waves of our lives. Help us to be the rock that you need to be so that we can contribute our part of the foundation of your church. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
—Contributed by Jeff Yoder
For a printable PDF version of this week's Devotionals, click here.
Sunday, October 4
Scripture: Ruth 1:16
But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God...”
With the death of her husband, and having no children, Ruth would have been very vulnerable. Returning to her own family, like Orpah does, might have been the wisest choice. But Ruth declares her faithfulness to her mother-in-law Naomi by saying, “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”
Ruth chooses to go to Bethlehem with Noami despite the fact that as a Moabite, Ruth will be an outsider, someone who doesn’t belong. Ruth does not abandon Naomi, but because of her commitment, love, and faithfulness, risks all to stay with Naomi. She backs up her words of commitment with action.
What we see in Ruth is an example of God’s commitment, love, and faithfulness towards us. God acted in Jesus Christ to bear our pain and to fill our hungry hearts. Jesus gave his life for us all. His love for us is real, deep, and true. It is a love willing to risk. How do we express our gratitude for that love?
Loving God, there is nothing which can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus. Help us to be willing to risk by sharing that love with others. Help us recommit ourselves wholly and completely to You. Amen.
–Contributed by Pastor Daniel Fugate
Monday, October 5
People of Faith and Commitment
Scripture: Ruth 1:1-8, 16-19
1In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons. 2The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. 3But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there about ten years, 5both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.
6Then she started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had considered his people and given them food. 7So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. 8But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back each of you to your mother's house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.”
16But Ruth said,
"Do not press me to leave you
or to turn back from following you!
Where you go, I will go;
where you lodge, I will lodge,
your people shall be my people,
and your God my God.
17Where you die, I will die —
there will I be buried.
May the LORD do thus and so to me,
and more as well,
if even death parts me from you!"
18When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.
19So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them; and the women said, "Is this Naomi?"
In the beginning we meet Naomi who is living with her husband in a foreign land having fled a famine. When her husband dies, God, our sustainer and provider, gave Naomi strength to survive as a widow through her sons and daughter-in-laws. In turn, Naomi’s faithfulness provided for Ruth (daughter-in-law) a living example of their loving God. But, her sons then die and Naomi is left with few choices for survival. She releases her daughter-in-laws to return to their families and turns west towards her home in Bethlehem. Prior to Naomi’s departure Our heavenly Father had returned a fruitful barley harvest in the once famine stricken Bethlehem. Knowing this enabled Naomi to return to her home and relatives and gave Ruth the opportunity to choose to follow Naomi’s life and her God (v.16). It is a beautiful recounting of commitment and devotion. We ask how Ruth could make such a choice. God asks us to make the same choice about Him.
Lord Jesus, you called Ruth to follow you through your servant Naomi. You sustained both throughout their lives in Moab and in Bethlehem. Help us to trust you, to follow you and to commit our very being to you. May our lives also encourage others to see you through us. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
–Contributed by Sally Lawson
Tuesday, October 6
Ruth’s commitment
Scripture: Ruth 1:16-19; 2-4
16But Ruth said,
"Do not press me to leave you
or to turn back from following you!
Where you go, I will go;
where you lodge, I will lodge,
your people shall be my people,
and your God my God.
17Where you die, I will die —
there will I be buried.
May the LORD do thus and so to me,
and more as well,
if even death parts me from you!"
18When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.
19So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them; and the women said, "Is this Naomi?"
2The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. 3But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there about ten years.
Here we read the result of Ruth’s commitment and faithfulness. God honors Ruth’s choices and resultant actions. As she gleans barley from the Bethlehem harvesters field she finds favor in Boaz’s eyes. (Boaz was a relative of Ruth’s deceased husband.) He had heard of Ruth’s devotion to Naomi and asks “may the Lord repay you for what you have done.” Genealogy reveals that the marriage of Boaz and Ruth produces the grandfather of David. In Matthew 1:5-16 scripture tells us Ruth is listed in the lineage of Jesus Christ through David. We see how Ruth’s faithfulness and commitment has ended and had been honored by God.
Our Heavenly Father wants to honor and bless us as we choose to believe and commit our lives to His will (Mark 3:35); even to the point of leaving a house, family and land (like Ruth) for the sake of the Gospel (Mark 10:29). Few of us will be asked to go to this extreme but all of us are asked to be faithful and this will entail some sacrifices on our part.
God, our Heavenly Father and redeemer we praise you for your faithfulness and steadfast love for your people. Thank you for providing faithful people around us as living examples for us to follow. Help us to continually seek and know your will so that our choices please you. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
—Contributed by Sally Lawson
Wednesday, October 7
A profession of Faith and commitment
Scripture: Psalm 100
1Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth.
2Worship the LORD with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.
3Know that the LORD is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
5For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Part of commitment is trust and allegiance. As we trust (to thoroughly believe and act on that) we align ourselves with our belief. As Christians we profess this faith in the Triune God. Throughout our lives we make a commitment to live a Godly life; in baptism, in confirmation, in profession of our creeds, during the Eucharist, etc. Underscoring this is our steadfast trust that Our God is who scripture tells us. We are reminded of this commitment and our desire to maintain it as we read and reread the Psalms. Psalm 100 is brief but succinctly demonstrates why we choose to believe and maintain our relationship with God. Because our God first loved us and because His love and faithfulness to His Word and promises endure through all generations, we can boldly praise, thank and commit our lives to Him!
Kind and loving Father, we are overwhelmed by your steadfast goodness. Through your grace we can know we are your people. Help us to faithfully read your Word and share the Gospel with all who will hear. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen.
—Contributed by Sally Lawson
Thursday, October 8
Jesus Christ, our example for commitment to His Heavenly Father
Jesus gave many important teachings between His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His crucifixion. During a query by a teacher of the law He is asked what is the most important commandment. Jesus answered with the Shema, the Jewish creed: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord Our God, the Lord is One (Ex 3:6). He then quoted Deut. 6:4-5: “Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and with all your strength.” Even the second greatest commandment (to love your neighbor as yourself) came from the Old Testament (Lev. 19:18). This should have pleased the scribe and it did. Note that to love God requires our whole being; all your heart, soul, mind and strength. That is commitment. In Joshua’s farewell to his leaders (Josh. 23:14; 24:15) he speaks of God’s faithfulness and that they were to know this through all their heart and all their soul. He exhorts them to choose whom they will serve; “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Our heavenly Father, we acknowledge your faithfulness and immutable nature. Truly you are worthy of our praise and thankfulness. We ask you to speak to our hearts, soul and minds that we desire to serve you with all out strength. In your Son’s name we pray, Amen.
–Contributed by Sally Lawson
Friday, October 9
Hosea called to be faithful in difficult circumstances
At first glance the Book of Hosea is quite opposite to that of Ruth. In Hosea we read of the prophet’s unfaithful wife (Gomer) and the significant names of their children. All represent a broken relationship with in the family and marriage and more importantly to God. This same God described in scriptural devotions #1-4 continues to love His people, an unfaithful Israel. Even though the Israelites choose to use God’s material blessings as offerings to idols and regardless of their lack of concern and love for their fellow man, God honors His covenantal relationship with His People. Compare 1:1-9 to 1:10, 11. This relationship of undeserved love and grace continues today. In chapter 3:1 the Lord commands Hosea to love Gomer as the Lord loves the Israelites. It is a tall order and a lofty demonstration of God’s commitment to us.
Our kind and loving Father we thank you for your perfect example of love. We recognize our inability to fulfill your commandments and pray your guidance as we make future choices. Helps us to right our errors and continue to live according to your will. Amen.
—Contributed by Sally Lawson
Saturday, October 10
The Hope in Commitment: Hosea
It is easy to translate the Book of Hosea into today’s terms. At times our lives are like waves. We rush to the shore with a magnificent break only to return to our origin to rebuild for another run on the beach. Many “things” distract us in this life and pull us back to our original sinful self. In Hosea the people are called a moral jungle with priests/leaders who are as treacherous as a trap. God declares He must have our loyal love and not our fleeting pity or sacrifices. With such distractions how are WE to maintain or regain our true commitment to our Heavenly Father and His grace- underserved as it is? Reading Chapter 11-14 we find the answer. Look back on what God has done for His creation and see His faithfulness. This results in frank repentance and forgiveness. Yes it is a severe mercy but one with enormous HOPE. “I will heal….I will love.” Where sin flourishes even more grace will abound.
Ever faithful and loving God, we humbly approach you acknowledging who you are. We ask for time to reflect on our lives and our choices. Help us to commit our lives to the teachings of your son, Jesus Christ, and to enjoy serving you or the rest of our lives, Amen.
–Contributed by Sally Lawson
For a printable PDF version of this week's Devotionals, click here.
Sunday, September 27
As a person who is basically shy and introverted, I continue to be amazed by the apparent ease with which many persons strike up conversations and function as the “life of the party.” Sometimes I wonder how it is possible that I’m called upon to stand before others to preach, teach, and pray when my instincts propel me to the back of—or even outside—the room? I can testify to only one source: God’s transforming power through Jesus Christ. Without the help that comes totally from God, much of the work I do would be an insurmountable challenge. I can relate well, then, to Mary Magdalene. We do not know much about this woman from Magdala and some of what we “know” is misinformation. What the Gospel accounts tell us is that somehow, at crucial moments in her life, Mary Magdalene was transformed by Jesus Christ; that transformation enabled her to act on the charge he gave her: Go and tell! In baptism we receive the same commission and, no matter our vocation or life circumstance, by word and deed we can—and, for the sake of the world, must—tell everyone we know the Good News of transformed life available to all in Jesus, the crucified AND resurrected one.
O God, by water and your word we have been transformed, and by the sign of the cross and your Holy Spirit, we have been sealed yours forever. Open our hearts and minds to the ministry of proclamation you entrust to us daily and renew us in this holy work in all the places in which you send us this and every week, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
–Contributed by Pastor Kathleen Haller
Monday, September 28
Scripture: Acts 13: 26-33a
My brothers, you descendants of Abraham’s family, and others who fear God. to us the message of this salvation has been sent, Because the residents of Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize him or understand the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath they fulfilled those words by condemning him. Even though they found no cause for a sentence of death, they asked Pilate to have him killed. When they had carried out everything that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead: and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, and they are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to our ancestors, he has fulfilled us, their children, by raising Jesus:
It is easy for us to look askance upon Jesus’ contemporaries who rejected him despite his teaching, his miracles and his boundless mercy. Yet we have to be careful not to reject him ourselves. Because unlike those who sought Jesus’ death, he has been revealed fully to us through his Resurrection. Therefore if we fail to spread the Good News we are rejecting Jesus just as surely as those who condemned him.
Dear Lord please give me the strength to share the Good News with every one whom I encounter every day. Amen.
–Contributed by Al Fial
Tuesday, September 29
Scripture: Psalm 73: 1-2, 23-28
Truly God is good to the upright,
to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
my steps had nearly slipped.
Nevertheless I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me with honor.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Indeed, those who are far from you will perish;
you put an end to those who are false to you.
But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
to tell of all your works.
My feet often almost stumble and my steps have often almost nearly slipped under the burden of low self esteem. I accept without question that God loves everyone in the world. When looking at my own faults, however, I did not see how God could love me. Then one day God asked me the rhetorical question who am I to tell him who he can love? Chastised, I realized instead of looking inward at my own foibles I am to look outward and to tell of all his works.
Dear Lord please help me to spread the Good News by using the gifts I have and trusting in you for the rest. Amen.
—Contributed by Al Fial
Wednesday, September 30
Scripture: John 20:1-2, 11-18
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter, and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where there laid him.”
But Mary stood weeping outside of the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!”(which means teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them,’ I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
Upon first seeing Jesus Mary Magdalene does not recognize him. Please note that the passage does not make reference to Jesus revealing himself to her so, it is clear he had not hidden himself in some way from her. Rather, it is clear that Mary Magdalene is so immersed in her grief, so certain that Jesus is dead and gone, that she does not recognize who is standing before her. When Jesus calls her name, however, she sees him with eyes enlightened by faith, not clouded by fear and she sees her Lord. Seeing is not always believing but we always have to believe to fully see God’s creation.
Dear God help me to always live my life guided by eyes of Faith. Amen.
—Contributed by Al Fial
Thursday, October 1
Scripture: Job 19:23-25
O that my words were written down!
O that my words were inscribed in a book!
O that with an iron pen and with lead
they were engraved on a rock forever!
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will
stand upon the earth.
Job’s sufferings are iconic and his patience is proverbial. Job, a wealthy and righteous man lost everything he owned and his sons and daughters were all killed in a terrible calamity. Additionally he was covered with sores from the top of his head to the bottoms of his feet. Yet at the height of his misery, he proclaims with utmost certainty his belief in his Redeemer. While Job is noted for his patience, I find his faith to be even more remarkable.
Please Lord, in times of trial may my faith be worthy of being engraved on rock forever. Amen.
–Contributed by Al Fial
Friday, October 2
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16-18
So we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we have been eyewitnesses of his majesty, For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
As is noted in this passage, Peter was an eyewitness to the “majesty” of Jesus. Even so, when Jesus was arrested, Peter denied him three times. It was not until the Holy Spirit descended upon Peter and the other apostles at Pentecost, that Peter had the courage to boldly proclaim The Good News. We, as 21st century Christians are so fortunate to have Scripture and 2,000 years of theology to strengthen us in our faith.
Dear Lord despite the innumerable gifts you have given me to bolster my faith, I am often, still afraid. Please help me overcome my weakness. Amen.
—Contributed by Al Fial
Saturday, October 3
Scripture: John 11:17-27, 39
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 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 they 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 you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”
Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.”
Just Martha has made a remarkable profession of faith, Jesus instructs that the stone sealing the entrance to Lazarus’ tomb to be removed. Martha balks at the command. Despite what she had just said, she doubts Jesus. She “knew” the only solution would have been for Jesus to cure Lazarus before he died. Martha cannot conceive of what Jesus is about to do. Indeed we do the same thing whenever we make petition to God and insist on the exact answer we are looking for rather than simply leaving the matter in God’s hands.
Dear God please help me to always remember that although I have many questions, only you have the answers. Amen.
–Contributed by Al Fial
For a printable PDF version of this week's Devotionals, click here.
Sunday, September 20
Scripture: Psalm 31:3-5
You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
Like Joseph, we may find ourselves in a pit that is of our own making or someone else’s. For Joseph it was a combination of the two, because his pride got the best of him and that provoked his brothers’ anger. Consequently, they decided to do away with him by first throwing him into a pit, but then selling him to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
In Egypt, Joseph found favor with Pharaoh and when his brothers came to Egypt because of a famine in the Promised Land, Joseph saw God’s hand in taking him from his arrogance and abyss, so that he could have compassion on his brothers and provide for his family.
Because of this, we might say that there is not only a light at the end of a tunnel, but also compassion at the top of the pit since God delivers us from the snares that can trap us, so that we can embrace each other with love and understanding.
O Lord, you are my refuge and in you, I have life. Deliver me from everything that would blind me to your compassion and grace and lead me to love your whole creation as you love me. Amen.
–Contributed by Pastor Frederick Hasecke
Monday, September 21
Scripture: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 23-28; Genesis 45:4-10
3Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves. 4But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.
12Now his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. 13And Israel said to Joseph, "Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them." He answered, "Here I am." 23So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; 24and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.
25Then they sat down to eat; and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26Then Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh." And his brothers agreed. 28When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.
4Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come closer to me." And they came closer. He said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. 10You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have.
Compassion is one of the greatest gifts that our Lord continues to share with us. In return, he asks only that we share this love and forgiveness with others. In our readings, Joseph was separated from his family and sold into slavery by his brothers. He had every reason to yield to anger and resentment and seek revenge. Why would he choose compassion and forgiveness in the face of such a wrong? He had not always been an unselfish man so willing to forgive. But he grew to believe that God had a much greater plan for his life and that God was showing him the right way. How do we react when we have been wronged? Do we return hurt for hurt…or do we respond in God's way? Do we let that same spirit that Joseph displayed guide us to choose to offer forgiveness and compassion?
Lord, help us to show our gratitude for your gift of compassion by sharing it with others. Amen.
–Contributed by Nancy Graham
Tuesday, September 22
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-11
10According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.
As we celebrate the completion of our "Seeds of Faith" project, our focus could possibly wander. I am reminded of a church in Ohio, where every Sunday the processional hymn was "The Church's One Foundation." As we reflect on the words from this hymn, the meaning is ever so relevant at this time.
"The Church's One Foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord,
She is his new creation by water and the word
From heaven he came and sought her, to be his Holy bride
With his own blood he bought her and for her life he died."
Dear heavenly Father, let us always remember your precious Son as our redeemer and guide. With the help of the Holy Spirit, lead us in the future...always mindful of your presence, love and guidance. Amen.
—Contributed by Carol Scherer
Wednesday, September 23
Scripture: Galatians 6:2, 9, 10
2Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 9So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 10So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
Those who walk with the Lord will have compassion.
Verse 2, Tells us to carry each other’s burdens and in this way we will fulfill the law of Christ (Christ’s teachings). Verse 9, Encourages us not to become weary in doing good. Verse 10, Tells us to do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Dear Lord, Help me to become a person of great compassion. Help me to reach out to others around me. May I be an extension of your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
—Contributed by Connie Gregory
Thursday, September 24
Scripture: Genesis 45:7
But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
God created the earth so that his own compassion could be multiplied and fill the earth. Love is the one word that encompasses God’s nature. Though Joseph’s brothers had intended evil, God worked it out for the good. Through Joseph, he found a way to further accomplish his plan. As with Joseph, we each have been called to perpetuate God’s love on earth, to fill it up with his compassion, and to be a blessing to everyone we meet. Christians are called to live by the law of love, God’s compassion has a plan—and through each of us he is fulfilling that plan.
Dear Lord, help each of us to keep your commandments of love, and to live our lives with love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
–Contributed by Diann Cartwright
Friday, September 25
Scripture Psalm 31:1-5
1In you, O LORD, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
2Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.
3You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name's sake lead me and guide me,
4take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
5Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
This is a Psalm of David probably written during a time of great distress. It shows enormous trust in the Lord to protect him. At the same time it shows complete submission to whatever God had in mind for him knowing that God’s plan, although not apparent, will work well. When things appear at their darkest, God is the one to whom we can always turn. This is the same trust in God’s compassion and support that Joseph had in God’s goodness and in turn showed to his brothers when they came before him in Egypt. The ultimate example of this is the use of verse five by Jesus on the cross. These words were the last words that Jesus spoke before dying. This was His acknowledgement of the trust He had in His Father and that He realized that, with His death, God’s plan for salvation was being fulfilled.
Lord, help me to have such faith in your intentions for my life, knowing that what ever happens it will be for the best. Amen.
—Contributed by Connie LaBrash
Saturday, September 26
Scripture: Genesis 45:4-10
4Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come closer to me." And they came closer. He said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. 10You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have.
Oh, how Joseph's brothers were surprised to see him alive. But even more than that, was the fact that he would save their lives, and their families lives. For this had been God's plan all along, the brothers were just the means to the end result.
Lord, make me an instrument to do your bidding, to help my fellow brothers and sisters here on earth. Amen.
–Contributed by Joyce Luebke
For a printable PDF version of this week's Devotionals, click here.
Sunday, September 13
Seeds of Faith, People of Faith: Moses, Jonah, and Dorcas—Freedom
As we near the end of Indiana’s fresh sweet corn season and ebb toward autumn’s leafy palette, Trinity English begins a worship and learning series based on a sampling of scripture’s vivid personalities and God’s awesome work in through mere mortals. This week we engage Moses, Jonah, Dorcas and more; each story providing a different lens by which to see God at work planting, nurturing, and, bringing to fruition faith’s varied and plentiful gifts. While their stories are not exactly like our own, they are emblematic of the diversity of faith experiences as well as the One accompanying each one. Over the course of eleven weeks, biblical stories will inform, inspire, encourage, and guide us as, in our time, we seek to follow paths God sets before us.
Generous God, we see you at work in the lives of Moses, Jonah, and Dorcas. Open our eyes to discern your claim on our lives and the gifts you have given so freely for faith, praise, and service. Amen.
–Contributed by Pastor Kathleen Haller
Monday, September 14
Scripture: Jonah 3:1-5, 10
The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, saying, Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you. So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days' walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's walk. And he cried out, "Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
The story of Jonah has been a topic for much discussion among Christians, notably the literal interpretation of "Jonah, he lived in the whale." But there is more to this story of a man sent by God to a pagan nation, a very sinful nation. Jonah brings God's promise for punishment to Nineveh—a promise of destruction of that nation. Jonah was reluctant, to say the least, to proceed on such a mission which many Christians consider to be the first evangelistic effort, as God presented himself to the Gentiles then. Jonah's message to them was direct—repent or be destroyed, and, amazingly enough, the Ninevites, including their king, humbled themselves in sackcloth, showed remorse for their sinful ways and repented. And God had compassion on them and withheld his punishment!
Do we see ourselves in Jonah? Do we try to run from God's directives? And do we often reluctantly return to God and place ourselves at his mercy?
We, like the people of Nineveh, have sinned and have been condemned and we have earned God's justice. But in true humility and repentance we also are recipients of God's compassion. God's mercy prevails over God's justice. And we are released from our fate.
God freely forgives all who come to him in true repentance and faith. What a message! What glorious news for all of us! Our belief in God's word, our trust in him. Our faith, frees us all from God's wrath and judgment.
Seeds of faith can yield the most bountiful rewards. You had better believe it!
–Contributed by Dodie Klug
Tuesday, September 15
Scripture: Luke 17:19
Thy faith hath made thee whole.
Is faith, like freedom, available to all? I believe that faith must be claimed; it must be demonstrated; it must be lived. I claim my faith by acknowledging that life is a journey, with each day bringing challenges to be met with courage or blessings to be received with gratitude. I demonstrate my faith by regarding change as part of God’s plan. Through my trust in Him, I see what I cannot see; and my faith directs me to accept change for what it is—a new direction in my life. I live my faith by relying on the Spirit within to guide me. By simply knowing that steadfast hand is on me, I have all that I need for this day. I am complete. I am whole.
Dear God, as I lean more and more on that ‘stretched out arm,’ guide me on the path on which I am to go—and grow. Help me to see more clearly whatever it is I need to know so that my life can be a testimony to your loving care. Amen.
–Contributed by Hertha Moran
Wednesday, September 16
Scripture: John’s letter the seven churches in Asia begins with this dedication (Revelations 1:5-6)
To [Jesus Christ] who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power forever and ever.
A “kingdom and priests” is an Old Testament designation of the nation of Israel. Here, in the New Testament, John applies that term to the body of Christ, the church. He reminds us we were slaves to sin, but Christ freed us from that bondage so we may serve God and be blessed. Christ’s sacrifice frees the church to act in faith and be a kingdom and priests of God’s word.
–Contributed by Shirley Weissert
Thursday, September 17
Scripture: Genesis 1:29, 2:8
God also said, “I give you all plants that bear seed everywhere on earth, and every tree bearing fruit that bears seed: they shall be yours for food.” The man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze—
Though it is September, long past the time of planting seeds, we still enjoy the results of seeds planted last spring. I rejoice every time I walk through our Cloister Garden.
WE are planting our “Seeds of Faith” which can grow at any time of the year. The Church nurtures the seeds with the help of the pastors and through our benevolence giving. WE, as members of the Trinity, can nurture these seeds by our day to day Christian living, through teaching our children, helping our friends, and working in our jobs outside the home.
Will our planting of “Seeds of Faith” result in a garden such as the lovely one in Genesis? This poem my Rudyard Kipling submitted to a devotional book of the First Baptist Church of Worcester, Massachusetts by my sister, Ruth Heywood, suggests an answer.
THE GLORY OF THE GARDEN
Oh, Adam was a gardener, and God who made him sees
That half a proper gardener’s work is done upon his knees,
So when your work is finished, you can was your hands and pray
For the glory of the Garden, that it may not pass away!
And the glory of the Garden, it shall never pass away.
–Contributed by Jane Keltsch
Friday, September 18
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Driving home from an errand today, I glimpsed one of those clever (or not) billboards in front of a neighborhood church. It was a good one—just three words, so I needed only a quick glance from the road to read it. “Pray without ceasing,” it said. A good idea, succinctly put, I thought, but not very practical. I wouldn’t get anything else done.
Still, there must be more to this than first appears. Maybe it suggests an attitude, more than an act. Perhaps it means I am to live with a prayerful heart, always aware of the One who gave me life, put me where I am, surrounded me with His boundless love, even when I don’t feel it, and still has a purpose for me here. I am not alone. I am still capable of whatever He means me to do, and I am so grateful that I am blessed with His guidance, love and joy.
This is my prayer of thanks today.
–Contributed by Patricia Jackson
Saturday, September 19
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:9
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those that love him.”
Heavenly Father, You have a plan to bring good into my life. Thank you for giving me this amazing, incredible life, and for making it possible to enjoy every part of it, even the tough times. Thank you for being my future; I know you have good things in store. I will praise you now and forever for all that you have done for me. Amen.
My dad, a soil conservationist, once told me that no matter where a seed is planted or under what conditions it may grow, a plant will always do its best. We know that if it is at all possible, that seed will sprout, grow, mature, and make more seeds. If this ordered, programmed sequence is interrupted by poor soil, inadequate rain, or deadly attach, only then will the planted seed wither and die.
No less is that the way with God’s own people. He had a plan, too, for each of us. In order to understand our own role in God’s kingdom, we are required only to trust Him and be faithful. If we try to stray from that path and attempt to override God’s plan for us, the results are not what He foresees for us. We become separated from His will, and therefore, spiritually, we wither and die.
We are each a loved and planned part of God’s universe. We have only to believe in Him to fulfill His plan for our lives.
–Contributed by Mary Scrogham
Infinite thanks to Pastor Richard G. Frazier for his cheerful efforts to identify and secure weekly leaders—and many writers, as well—for this new devotional venture. We remain grateful recipients of his faithfulness.