Prayer: God, may we live in the good of the grace you give us each and every day. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 58:1-12 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: To review, this week our scripture readings all deal with three words—salt, light, and grace. This passage, I think, speaks to us most about God’s grace and light. In verses 3-7, the writer of Isaiah is reminding us that we can try to do all we can to be good to people, to serve God, and to follow Christian practices. But we all fall short, because we are all sinners. What saves us? God’s abundant grace. Thanks be to God! We even seen “light” images in verses 8 and following. To me, this reminds us that because of the grace that showers down from God, we need to go out and let our light shine. I’ve been reading a book by Kelly Fryer called “Reclaiming the ‘L’ Word.” Her thesis is that Lutherans need to not be ashamed of the word Lutheran because we have some pretty solid theology. But she does contend that one thing we need to do is to live in the good of God’s grace and go out and do God’s work. It’s not just the work of the pastor, but of the people. As we ponder these images of salt, light, and grace this week, what are ways that you will let your light shine brighter as you live in the good of the grace God gives you? --Chad Hershberger
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Prayer: Help us to be who you want us to be, God. Guide us with your light so we may spread your love and grace to others and be the salt of this world. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 5:13-20 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: This is probably familiar Gospel text to you. Verse 16 is a particular favorite of mine. In fact, I have a plaque with those words in my office. When I read this lesson today, I saw three key themes, which I think will play out over this next week as we look at Sunday’s scripture readings. The first is this idea of salt. We, as Christians, are the salt of the earth. We have a lot to contribute to the world to spice it up. Even though at times we may think we are flourishing when it comes to our Christian witness, we need to be strong and have faith in God. We also are the light of the world. In a world where there is much darkness, the good news of Jesus that we can share can brighten the darkest of places. Even if the light is small, it will still be a beacon to those in the shadows of existence. And, we are grace-filled people. When Jesus talks in this story, he reminds us that he came to fulfill the law. He reminds us that there is both law and gospel. He is the good news. He is the unconditional love that we should exemplify today. So, this week as we look at our lectionary for Sunday, remember these three words: Salt, Light, and Grace. We’ll be talking about each of these in the coming days as we share these devotions together. –Chad Hershberger Editor’s Note: We continue today with our look at Day 1 alternative texts for this summer’s curriculum, “The Water of Life.” Day 1 is “From the Deep—Goodness and Gift.”
Prayer: Loving God, you are a blessing and a help at all times--mad, sad or glad—I lift my heart to you. Amen. Reading: Psalm 42 (esp. vs 1-3) (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I remember being with my daughter and she was crying listening to a sad song. I didn’t particularly like the song, so I suggested that she change it. She refused. She seemed to want to keep crying. Sometimes, you just have to cry and get it all out. After a good cry, you feel better. There is a peace that comes to you on the other side of a “bowl of tears.” The Psalm for today is a sad song (they were usually chanted), but yet one that tells the wonderful good news that God is with us in our sad times. Before we know it, things aren’t so bad after all. That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it—you want to spread its fresh like springiness to everyone. Then they will know that there is a God and God helps everyone in all times and in all places! --Andrew Fitch Prayer: May we always speak truth from our hearts. Amen
Reading: Psalm 15 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: As I ponder how things just don't seem to be going right these days, it seems to boil down to a matter of truth. What is the truth? Who is telling the truth? Who can be trusted to be truthful? It is all too complicated if you ask me. Best I can do is try my best to be truthful myself and that is what Psalm encourages and if there is any question as to how to do that, there is some advice there, too. Here is what not to do: slander with the tongue or do evil to friends. Here is what to do: honor those who fear the Lord and stand by your oath even if it hurts. A popular saying lately has been, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Since I am struggling with what is true and who is being truthful, the best I can do is start with me. Glad the Psalms have advice for that. Truth comes from the heart. --Ruth Gates Prayer: May we only boast in you, Lord. Amen
Reading: I Corinthians 1: 18-31 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Boasting never seems like a good thing to do but some people do it all the time. Thinking so highly of themselves and letting others know it. They sure get a lot of attention, which then only makes others want to come up with something to boast about, too. Confidence is a good thing but where your confidence comes from makes a big difference. Paul reminds us, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." (I Cor. 1: 31) Why? Because in Christ we have the power of God and the wisdom of God. (v. 24) I think as Christians we do need to show a bit of confidence. It may make others want to come up with that sort of confidence, too! But here is the catch. We boast in the Lord, not in ourselves. Then God gets the attention and that would be better for everyone. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Thanks be to God who loves us. Amen
Reading: Micah 6:1-8 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: It’s a court scene. The Lord and Israel are in contention. First God testifies. “I brought you out of Egypt. I set you free from your slavery. I sent leaders to guide you to the Holy Land. I have saved you. Just remember your history.” Now it is Israel’s turn to plead its case. “With what shall I come before the Lord?” Sounds to me like Israel concedes with no argument. It’s no contest. And so it is. It is God who blesses, forgives, graces, saves. And as much as we may want to proclaim our case we have none. As much as we want to claim some right to God’s love, we have none. We come before God empty handed. Thanks be to a God who loves us. --Jim Bricker Prayer: Lord, bless the poor and hungry and help me to be the blessing. Amen
Reading: Matthew 5:1-12 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: First, it is so easy to slip through these so familiar words at the head of what is called “The Sermon on the Mount.” It is also so very easy to dismiss their present relevance, since they promise future reward for those in less than joyful places today. Matthew softens Luke’s presentation of these words perhaps to make them easier to hear. For example in Luke the first word is “Blessed are you who are poor,” not “in spirit” as in Matthew but just plain “poor.” I don’t find much comfort in hearing that the poor will be blessed. Or the hungry will be filled. Perhaps there is comfort for those on the short end of the stick to hear that Jesus sticks up for them. But, if their stomachs still grumble ….. Jesus’ ministry encourages us to encounter others’ present difficulties with blessings now. So, for today’s devotion how about we each make an extra contribution to our local food pantry? --Jim Bricker Prayer: Dear Lord, Help us to be content with your ways and trust in your care. Amen.
Reading: Exodus 17:1-7 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: As we continue our look at Day 1’s curriculum for this summer, we look at one of the alternate texts for that day. Massah and Meribah might mean test and quarrel, but to me it sounds like fussing and fighting. It might help if you say the words like a frustrated mother speaking to whiny children: “Quit your fussin’ and fightin’ or you will miss the fun you might be having.” My brother, sister, and I are not very far apart in age and we didn’t usually quarrel or test our parents too much (in our angelic opinion), but I am sure that we did on long trips. I am sure then it got worse than the usual, “are we there yet?!” One time we were arguing about something until my mom said something like, “you are arguing so much that you are missing all the interesting things we are passing right outside your window.” What the people of God were doing was even worse—they were complaining to Moses about God as if God wasn’t around. We should never be so silly to think that God isn’t anywhere. God is everywhere. They were complaining that God didn’t care about them and provide for them. We should never be so silly to think that God doesn’t love us and can’t rescue us from any dry or dusty problem. --Andrew Fitch Prayer: Lord, we come to you asking for so much. Help us to remember one thing that is most important: to live all our days with you. Amen
Reading: Psalm 27: 1, 4-9 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: What would be the one thing to ask of the Lord? David has the answer in verse 4 of Psalm 27 ~ "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple." Why? Because the Lord is our light and salvation; our stronghold, safety and shelter. Really, what more could you ask for? The next time my list seems to get a bit too long, I will keep in mind the most important thing is to live each day with the Lord in my heart. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Thanks for claiming us, God, as your children.
Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Last Sunday, my mom did a children’s sermon at her church where she took four different stuffed animals and labeled them with their animal name. At night, according to her story, the monkey went and changed the labels so that their animal names were incorrect. The alligator was labeled as a lion; the sloth was labeled as a giraffe; the bear and other animal in the skit were also labeled incorrected. She then talked about how the label that is important in our life is that we are a Child of God. She gave the kids a sticker to wear that reminded them they are all a Child of God. Mom recounted this sermon to my daughter and me when we visited later her and my dad later on Sunday. My daughter, after hearing the story, reenacted it with the animals that mom had used that morning. It was great to hear her remind the animals and us that we are all children of God. This passage reminds me that although we may be Lutheran, or Episcopalian, Presbyterian, or non-denominational, we are all children of God. This week, as we are reminded of the divides that our country currently sees, it is important to remember that the label on us that is most important is that we are all indeed Children of God. –Chad Hershberger Prayer: Help us to walk with your light in the midst of darkness, God. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: January is my least favorite month of the year. My wife believes I suffer from some seasonal affective disorder and I tend to agree. I don’t like the cold, dark, cloudy month of January. This weekend, my daughter and I were driving in the car and I said, “Isn’t it nice to see the sunshine!” January is just down right depressing to me! Imagine if life was like January all the time. Maybe you like this month and for that I’m grateful. But if you are like me, you might think that this month is like the people in our text today- walking along in darkness. And then, they see the light. Jesus has come! I don’t think it is coincidence that the season of Epiphany, when we celebrate Christ’s being revealed as the light of the world, happens during this time of year for us. Even in the dark days of January, we need to be on the lookout for the light. There, we will find joy! --Chad Hershberger Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on January 20, 2014.
Prayer: May you, O Lord, guide us to respond positively and share new light. Amen. Reading: Matthew 4: 12-23 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Imagine how Jesus was feeling. He just heard the news. John the Baptist had just been arrested. In these situations, one might feel that they are powerless. They have not control. They are living in darkness. So, what does Jesus do? He went to Capernaum and started anew. He started calling disciples to be his ministers. He started to teach and preach and spread the Good News. For me, this passage is another example of darkness and brokenness being turned into new light. Instead of focusing on the arrest of John and the “bad times,” Jesus instead, “went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.” (verse 23) Perhaps when times are tough for us, we need to change our focus and see new light. –Chad Hershberger Prayer: We give thanks for your creation and how you show your love through what you made, dear Lord. Amen.
Reading: Genesis 2: 4-15 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: It’s Friday and another chance for us to look at this summer’s curriculum at Mount Luther. If you recall from the introduction last week, our theme is “The Water of Life” as we learn about the life-giving water of God that heals, sustains, and saves us. Last week, we read the creation story, which is the main text that our campers will hear on Day 1. Today, we read another account of creation, which is recorded in Genesis 2. Look it closely. How is it different from the day-by-day version we read last week? How is it the same? I remember in one of my religious studies classes in college that we looked at various accounts of creation. We looked at these two versions in the Bible and also read the Gilgamesh epic from mythology. We would compare and contrast each story with other accounts we read. You may wonder how there could be more than one account of creation. Think about it, though. When the same people are at an event, they remember different details of the story. Maybe the writer of Genesis wanted to take a look at creation from two different points of view. It seems the passage we read today dealt more with the creation of humans and how we interact with the rest of God’s creation. This summer, as we look at this text with our campers, I can’t wait to see what they pick up and dwell in about the creation story. Some may be interested in the insects and bugs that are created. Some may like the concept of day and night. Others may focus on the water aspects. Despite what is their favorite part, we can remind them that it was God, in all God’s goodness, that created creation for us to enjoy. God’s love shines through in creation each and every day! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Oh Lord, put a new song in my mouth. Amen
Reading: Psalm 40: 1-11 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: There is a saying, "You are what you eat." I guess that means your health depends on what you put in your mouth. Or, when saying this to a child, it means, "If you eat chocolate chip cookies all day, you will turn into a chocolate chip cookie." Verse 3 of Psalm 40 proclaims, "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." If you are what you eat (or what you put in your mouth), then let's be people who praise God for many to see and know of God's love for all. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Thank you, God, for the people in my life. Amen
Reading: I Corinthians 1: 1-9 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I give thanks to my God always for you... (I Cor. 1: 4a) I am not sure when I first came across this verse. It may have been in a card sent to me by a friend. I have loved it ever since. The thought that someone would give thanks to God for me was such a good feeling. I knew I was loved by family and friends but to think someone was a thanking God for me meant so much, too. There is a way of talking about the people in our lives as "peeps". At least I think that is how it is spelled. Either way, we talk about our peeps. While it is good to love and care about them, it is good to thank God for them, too. And let them know you do! I thank God for all the peeps who read these devotions each day. ...because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus. (I Cor. 1: 4b) --Ruth Gates Prayer: Help me to remember that I am your servant, O Lord.
Reading: Isaiah 49:1-7 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: When did you first experience the thought that there is something that God wants you to do? Have you come to understand that somehow everything you do and say is what God wants you to do and be? Isaiah was so convinced of his ministry that he concluded that God called and prepared him even before he was born! That’s one thing for us today. God has claimed us to be a servant. God wants us to proclaim him with our whole lives. There is another idea here for today. “A light to the nations.” That’s a big job!! I take that to mean that not only every moment of life proclaims God. But it also means that everywhere I may be I am a God proclaimer. Whether I am aware of it or not, others see me and experience me. When they experience me, do they experience God? --Jim Bricker Prayer: Help us, Lamb of God, to see and know. Amen
Reading: John 1:29-42 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: “Come and see.” A curious person asked Jesus, “Where are you staying?” “Come and see.” Not “32 N. Third St.” Not “Next to where the Jones are.” But, “Come and see.” Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Both about the question and the answer—they don’t quite match. John, the Gospel writer, is almost always working at several levels of meaning. The curious person may have wanted to know literally where Jesus lived. But, John has the question posed in such a way that it could mean something more intuitive. “Where is the permanent, undying dwelling place of the Lamb of God?” “Can I dwell where God is?” “Where can we go to be in the presence of God?” “Come and see.” Sometimes reading peoples’ ideas about living with God is helpful. Conversations with others about God can open ideas, too. We can perhaps gain insight into our relationship with God from knowing another’s relationship with God. But, in the end I think, it is really about experiencing God. I don’t care much for trying to explain God to people. But I sure do like inviting them, “Come and see.” Want to know what love is? “Come and see.” Want to experience grace? “Come and see.” Come and be in the presence of others who seek Jesus. Come and live with those who have experienced God's love. “Come and see.” --Jim Bricker Prayer: For your gift of water and the goodness of each drop, we give you thanks, O Lord. Amen.
Reading: Genesis 1: 1-2:2 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: This summer at camp, our curriculum is called “The Water of Life.” Our campers experience God’s gift of physical water swimming in the pool, canoeing at the pond, or enjoying a cool drink of water at the pavilion on a hot day. This year, campers will also learn about the life-giving water of God that heals, sustains, and saves us. As part of our First Light Digital Devotions, we’ll look at each day of our summer curriculum between now and camp. In January, we’ll focus on our Day 1 theme of “From the Deep—Goodness and Gift.” Today’s story is our main Bible reading for this day. I was privileged to be one of the writers for this curriculum, writing the section for Upper Elementary campers. We wrote during the last two months of 2015 and just after I finished and submitted my final manuscripts, I went on a cruise. As I looked out over the vast ocean, with nothing in sight but the sky and water, I was reminded of the water of life that God gives to us. I thought about how God moved over the water during the creation story. Being in the middle of the ocean gave me a great appreciation for this water of life! Today’s passage is about God creating the earth. In the beginning there is nothing, but by the time God rests after the work of creating, the waters are teeming with life. God’s creation began with water and continues every day. As you reflect on this story today, maybe you can take some time to take some clay or Play Dough and create something out of it. How does it make you feel to make something? What are some other things you have created during your life? Think of a time when you made something for someone else. How did that feel? Unlike God, we can’t create something out of nothing. In creation, God created water that sustains life and fulfills many of our needs and the needs of others. It is a gift of God, and so therefore it is good. How do we treat something that is a gift? Do we treat water as something that is a good gift? What are ways that you can take care of this gift from God better in the future? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Dear Lord, give us strength and peace in the New Year ahead. Amen
Reading: Psalm 29 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: The Psalmist spends most of Psalm 29 describing the mightiness of the Lord and calling for us to glorify and worship him. In the last verse, however, we hear, May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace! (v. 11) This year, I hope to keep my mind set on how mighty God is and my heart set on worshiping Him. My prayer is for strength and peace. That sounds short and simple! I know the year will get overwhelming and complicated but with strength and peace, we can make it through. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Help us to copy your words in our minds and paste them in our hearts. Amen
Reading: Acts 10:34-43 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Sometimes we read verses from the Bible and just know, "This is something I really ought to memorize." It may be God's word in a nutshell of one verse or, as in the case of Acts 10: 34-43, the ministry of Jesus and our commission in nine verses. Yes, this would be something to remind ourselves, to proclaim to others and to know forwards and backwards. I am not going to get all wordy about writing with a computer. Let it just be said it was only recently I learned the shortcut keystrokes of Control c (copy) and Control v (paste). Until then, it took me more steps to copy and paste text. Maybe it was because, while Control c made sense - c for copy, Control v did not come intuitively until I realized the v is what we called a "carrot" in long hand writing to add new information to text already written. I guess the thought is the shape of the letter v implies wedging the text into what is there. Nice shortcuts to know. Acts 10: 34-43 - the ministry or Jesus and our commission. Let's Control c the verses in our minds and Control v them on our hearts. Not saying this is a shortcut. Faith takes time. But let God's word wedge into your heart and be added to your life. --Ruth Gates Prayer: May I be a servant, Lord, and may you delight in me. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 42: 1-9 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: The title on the page of this passage says, “The Servant, a Light to the Nations.” When I read that, it made me go, “hum.” Being a servant is a way to shine your light/God’s love to others. It seems like a no brainer, doesn’t it? But how often do we get caught up in the darkness and not let our servant lights shine? God delights in a soul that has a servant’s heart. On January 1st, I celebrated my 16th anniversary as Camp Mount Luther Director. One of the things that I try to do is not ask anyone on staff to do anything that I am not willing to do. So, yeah, I plunge the occasional toilet, haul out the trash, and clean the bathrooms. I feel it is important to show servant leadership. As we kick off another year, let us all try to let our lights shine as servants of God. In this often dark time we live in, we can be a light to the nations. –Chad Hershberger Occasionally, we will reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on January 6, 2014.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for those who show me your love in this life. May I be open to thanking those people in person as I see them this coming year. Amen. Reading: Matthew 3: 13-17 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:
Reflection: This Sunday, we will celebrate Jesus' baptismal day. Jesus went to the Jordan River, asked John to baptize him, and despite John's protests, Jesus modeled for humanity that we should believe and be baptized. In this reading and in the other readings in this week's lectionary, we hear God's voice from heaven saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." You'll hear God's voice say those words several times in scripture in the coming months as you read about Jesus' life and times on earth. When your parents or another you love tell you they love you, they are proud of you, or they are pleased with you, doesn't it make you feel good? How does it make you feel when you hear God's voice, in the words of a baptismal service, which says God chose you and claims you as God's own? In baptism, God says those words to us, too. God love us and is well pleased with us. And, God continually reminds us of this through other voices in our lives. Listen for those voices today. --Chad Hershberger |
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