Prayer: Our times are in your hands, O LORD. As we go about serving others, may we feel your face shine. Save us in your love. Amen
Reading: Psalm 31: 9-16 (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: Today’s verses from Psalm 31 are so timely. Verse 9 begins, I am in distress, and the Psalm continues with even more dismal declarations. Then in verses 14 and 15 come the positive words, I trust in you, O Lord. My times are in your hand. So many concerned friends have called and offered all kinds of help these past few weeks. I also have felt the need to reach out to those alone or facing major health issues. Our hands can do many things. Notes written on simple paper from home. No need to go out to the store to buy a card. Pints of soup made by just three ladies in the church kitchen. Lunches packed for children whose schools are closed. Servant hands at work. Ours and others' faces shining with love. And through these times remember to tell yourself, My times are in your hands...Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love. (v. 15, 16) -- Alice Yeakel
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We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on April 4, 2017.
Prayer: Lord, help me to sustain the weary with a word. Amen Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-9a (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 4th verse of Isaiah 50 says, "The Lord has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word." I don't know about you but I know a lot of weary people out there. Myself included. The other day at friend sent me encouragement in just 6 words, "Don't be too hard on yourself." I can tell you, those few words lifted a load off my weary shoulders. One word, six or maybe a just few more, what we say can sustain someone who is weary. If we ask the Lord to give us the tongue of a teacher, perhaps we can lighten each other's loads. What word(s) to you need to hear? What word(s) can you say? --Ruth Gates Today, we look at a Day 3 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: Help us, Lord, to rejoice with you on the mountains and in the valleys. Amen. Reading: Matthew 5:1-11 (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: This passage is a part of our summer curriculum for 2020, and this passage also gives us some great imagery for how we can share this at campers while in creation: (v.1) “Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.” The beatitudes start on verse 3 of this passage with: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” And then continues with many “Blessed are’s” – so rest assured that YOU truly are blessed! Blessed are we in this time of uncertainty. Social distancing, quarantine…all very new things for us, but we must try our best to remain centered on why we are still so blessed (I say we because this is something I am constantly reminding myself). If you read on to verse 12 it says, “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…” We still have SO many reasons to rejoice and be glad. Rejoice and be glad because our Father in heaven is never distant. Other reasons to rejoice and be glad:
Prayer: Dear God, let me never fail to appreciate the wonder of your gifts. Amen. Reading: John 11: 1-45 (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: In my family, I am teased for how easily sentiment moves me to tears. That coffee commercial that plays every Christmas, where the big brother/grown son sneaks into the kitchen to brew a cup of java and surprise his family – waterworks! It’s a Wonderful Life still brings me to tears, no matter how many times George prays on that bridge, or Clarence gets his wings. Just about every episode of “The Waltons” warms my heart and wets my eyes. None of these are sad; they all celebrate life and love, family and friendship. Community. When Jesus hears that Lazarus is sick, He finishes His work far from Bethany, knowing his friend will die and that Mary and Martha will suffer the heartache of losing their brother. He also accepts that this must be, so that He can raise Lazarus from the dead “to glorify God.” That doesn’t stop Him from crying when He sees his friends’ pain. He knows how the story ends, yet He is present in the moment, too. In our lives, every day can bring happiness or sorrow, anger or ecstasy, but most of all surprises. Even if you think you know how the story will end, be grateful for the experience; open to the complexity and richness of living. The joy of salvation is assured, but it doesn’t have to be taken for granted. -- Heather LeBlanc Prayer: Dear God, fill our minds with your Spirit which cannot be contained. Lead us to share your love in our everyday lives. Amen
Reading: Romans 8: 6-11 (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: Set your mind on things of the Spirit; not on things of the flesh. Spiritual thoughts cannot be bottled or put in a box. Joy, sorrow, laughter, comfort, loneliness are felt but cannot be contained. Yes, there are tangibles that can bring on these feelings: children singing, a painful loss, friends sharing cookies after school, cup of hot tea on a cold evening, goodbyes. Notice even these tangibles are more about relationships with people than the things involved. God wants our minds to be filled with things of the Spirit. Love, concern, respect, understanding - things which cannot be be packaged nor meant to be stored on a shelf. They are to be shared with each other through prayer and the way we lead our everyday lives. Be filled to overflow. -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: We cry to you, God, from the deep places inside and in life. Hear us and lift us as we trust in you. May hope bring us to cries of Hosanna. Amen
Reading: Psalm 130 (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: “Out of the depths have I cried unto you”. These words have been set to music and are part of a Requiem by John Rutter. It can be accompanied either by cello or piano. I have played the piano arrangement and it is very somber. Beyond the depths and darkness and despair lies hope and light. God hears our prayers and He will lift us. That is His promise if we remain steadfast and put our life and trust in His Hands. Later in the Requiem we sing “Heaven and earth are full of Thy Glory. Hosanna!” -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: Life-giving God, guide us with your spirit. May we see a vision of you at work around us and may we use our imaginations to be your hands in the world. Our faith sings of your power. Amen
Reading: Ezekiel 37: 1-14 (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 hand of the LORD came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of... These are the words of the prophet in the beginning of the 37th chapter of Ezekiel. Having read it you know he was set down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. The vision goes on to tell of God's life-giving power in the reassembling and restoring of dead, dry bones to life. Use your imagination to picture that. We are in days of needing to use our imaginations to live life with hope for ourselves and for others. From the vision of the valley of dry bones, African American slaves created the spiritual "Dem Bones", freeing their imagination and helping their faith sing of God's life-giving power. We still thing their song today. Now imagine the hand of the LORD upon you. Because, it is. Where is the spirit taking you? What are you being set down in the middle of? What do you see? What is your vision of God's life-giving power? How does it help your faith sing? -- Ruth Gates Today, we look at a Day 3 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: Open our ears to hear your call, Lord. Amen. Reading: Matthew 4:18-22 (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’s curriculum looks at some big names in the Bible. We will learn about Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, David, Mary, and Paul, Timothy and Lydia. And, we’ll see how God’s story ties those people to us. In our story today, we see Jesus calling his disciples. Those names could be added to the list of big names in the Bible. Jesus asked these men to do extraordinary things, simply by asking them, “Follow Me.” Since your name is in the list of people called by God, how do you follow Jesus? What is Jesus calling you to do in these times, in your place, and with the resources you have? How can you “Follow Me?” --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Jesus, my friend and savior, let my heart be opened to see what my eyes do not. Amen.
Reading: John 9: 1-41 (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: Why is it that when we hear of a tragedy or misfortune, we want to assign fault? Joe has cancer? Well yeah, but didn’t he used to smoke? Her husband left her? Gee, she must not have been a very good wife. My neighbors can’t pay their rent, but they have the latest smart phones; they must waste their money. Did you hear about Job? Boy, that guy must have some secret sinful whoppers! And yet, bad things happen to good people all the time. I admit, I’ve been guilty of playing both the blame game and “Why me, it’s not fair”. I want my world to make sense. If I live “right” then shouldn’t “good” things happen to me? Or at least not “bad” ones? What did I do to deserve this, or that? Was I, deep down, a bad…? In healing this man’s sight, I imagine Jesus also healed some of the hurt from a lifetime being told that his hardship was somehow deserved. Jesus dispels the idea that the man’s blindness is God’s punishment. He is unusually direct with the disciples, answering their inquiry not with parable but explicitly: neither the man nor his parents sinned. His words and actions offer this lesson: when we encounter hardship ourselves, or pain in others, we have an opportunity. We can learn. We can share. We can be there for one another, withhold our judgment, show compassion. After all, none of us can see in the dark. God’s love is the light of the world; without it we are all of us blind. -- Heather LeBlanc Prayer: Light giving God we thank you. May we let our life be one that helps guide others. May we be beacons shining in the dark that helps lead others to you. AMEN
Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14 (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 was reading the text for the day a song popped into my head. It is a common camp song and one used in Sunday school. It has easy motions to it and one that has been around for a while. I am sure you figured out which one I mean. This little light of mine, I am going let it Shine. It is a great little reminder of how we are supposed to live our lives. We are to shine in the darkness to all those around. Christ’s love should be bright in our lives, and we are to expose the evil. Remember to light your light shine. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Our Father, thank you for hearing us pray to you. Thank you for being my shepherd. We are and I am not alone at all. Amen
Reading: Psalm 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: Social distancing, quarantine, and isolation. Such a feeling of being alone yet together in what we are doing for the health and safety of ourselves AND each other. When we pray the Lord's Prayer, we say, OUR Father because we know God is the Father of everyone. Continue praying and notice the word US the rest of the way through. We know we are not alone in our prayers or in our lives. Not alone at all. Psalm 23, on the other hand, is in the first person. MY shepherd...I shall not be in want...makes ME lie down...restores MY soul.... This Psalm speaks to each of us alone. Yet we are not alone as we have a shepherd. We are not alone as we are many sheep. Not alone at all. Pray. Read. Know we are doing it both alone and together. OUR Father; MY shepherd - with us; with you. Amen -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Lord, you are so gracious to us. Thank you for seeing our hearts and redeeming us. May we follow your lead and see others for their heart, and not for what clothes they are wearing. Amen
Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (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: From verse 7, “The Lord does not look at things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” As it turns out, I have actually written on this same passage before. And that is because I am drawn to these verses after having the portion above taped to my mirror for the past few years (over four now)! When I think about how the Lord looks at what is in our hearts, as He does this when he chooses to anoint David in this passage, I think of my time spent at Camp Mount Luther. God calls us as His children, no matter what we look like on the outside. He sees a heart worth loving. Camp is a place where you can come as you are. After being on staff for four years, I can say I know for sure that I will be accepted as I am by the Mount Luther staff. Being on camp staff together, and living in a tight-knit community means you experience everything together. This includes afternoons following an overnight camping trip when you just didn’t have time to shower, and nights spent whispering hilarious stories around the campfire as you try not to wake the campers sleeping just a few feet away. Through mountaintop highs and valley lows, camp brings out the heart in everyone. We love and support each other for what the Lord sees - it’s the fluffy fun stuff in the middle that really matters! --Anne Harshbarger We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on May 4, 2017.
Today, we look at a Day 3 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.” Prayer: Comforter and healing God be with us today and help us through all our problems and stresses. Thank you for your peace that you give us. Thank you for restoring my soul. Thank you for your goodness and mercy. In Christ name, AMEN Reading: Psalm 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: Psalm 23 is a very familiar Psalm for a lot of people. It is one that can help get you through times of trouble. I have heard that people have recited it over and over as they have been in a CAT scan or MRI. I have never had the pleasure of that kind of test, but I am sure I would also find something to recite to keep me calm. Another time Psalm 23 is used a lot is on funeral bulletins. It can help people find comfort in times of grief. Psalm 23 is an easy scripture to lean on. The visual it brings to mind is very soothing to me. I can just see a path by the meadow with a stream flowing through it. I hope Psalm 23 can bring you some comfort and calmness in these days and in the days to come. --Charlene Rineer
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Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom we have to worship. May we worship you in spirit and truth, through all that we do. Amen.
Reading: John 4:5-42 (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: Verse 23: “yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” This verse is a part of the popular story of the woman at the well. In this story, Jesus shares Living water with someone he was not supposed to associate with. So not only does this story show us that the Living water of eternal life I available to anyone, but it also shows us that worship does not have to be confined to a certain time or place. The Heavenly Father only asks that we worship with Spirit and truth, with our hearts and our minds. We can worship through dancing, singing, working, playing, serving, etc.! We have the freedom to worship God with whatever flows from our hearts! Therefore, live in the spirit and devote what you do to the Heavenly Father as an act of worship! --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: Loving God thank you for forgiveness, mercy, and grace. You give us peace and hope, and for that we are grateful. May we live out our lives showing others your love. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Reading: Romans 5:1-11 (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: Faith, peace, grace, hope, and love are all key words for us in our belief. Justification and reconciliation are too, but they are harder to wrap our heads around. Sometimes in confirmation class when we come across a more difficult word I have the class do an acrostic. Here is my acrostic for justification. Jesus Given Unworthy of It Sin releasing Thankful for It I Believe Faith Fulfilling Interdependence Christ’s Gift Appreciated Teach Others I am hope filled One of Grace Never ending Love --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Dear God, you call us to worship and obey so we sing which is sometimes just a joyful noise. Hear us as we obey your call. Amen
Reading: Psalm 95 (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: Here is another Psalm that encourages us to sing praises! Sing to the Lord! Make a joyful noise! Many years ago, residents of the County Home were allowed to walk into town to attend prayer meetings at our church. It was a good mile walk! Two elderly gentlemen came faithfully every week. The one could not carry a tune but he still sang heartily with a big smile. No one minded. His joy was so evident and contagious. We just smiled and sang all the more heartily ourselves. God encourages us to be joyful! Let us obey even if a bit noisy about it. -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: Gracious God I thank you for all you have given me. Thank you for food, water, shelter, and clothes – all the things we need. Thank you also for your never-ending love. Help me remember that you only want the best for us. In Jesus name, 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: Water is a necessity for life. When you are wandering in the wilderness and you do not have water it is hard. I would have complained just like the Israelites did. At camp we stress with the campers that they need to drink their water. A water bottle is one of the items we ask all campers to bring to camp. If they forget it, we make sure they get one. During the hottest weeks we set up water stations for them to refill their water bottles. Water is necessary. One other necessary thing in my life is having faith in God. It is with me wherever I go. I need to lean on God every day. Worship, prayer, and Bible study are places where I fill up my spirit. At the hardest times of my life I need to return to God more to renew and strength my faith. Camp is one of the places that helps me do that. I hope you have your places and ways to keep you near to God so you do not find yourself complaining in the wilderness. --Charlene Rineer Today, we look at a Day 3 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: Pray for political and religious world leaders, that they may keep their leadership focused on what is good for people and for all creation. Reading: 1 Samuel 16 (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: 1 Samuel 16 is where the story of King David starts, when he is a young shepherd. Imagine the surprise for David, his brothers, and his dad when the prophet Samuel shows up and makes David the next king of Israel! How many surprises do you see in your life? You may think immediately of the big ones but I bet there are small surprises every day. How have these surprises shaped who you are? Who your family is? God chose David to be king and surprised everyone by anointing him. Surprise the people important to you by anointing them with blessings of love today. Maybe send a note or card in the mail—or put together a little gift bag and leave it on their doorstep. I bet they, too, will be surprised! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Gracious God, you remind us that we are loved, and we are forever grateful. You also remind us that your love is not just for one, but for all. Send us to share your love today. Amen (from the Moravian Daily Texts 2020 - Sunday, March 8)
Reading: John 3: 1-17 (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? Reflection: How well we know these words. For God so loved the world. Still, it is good to be surprisingly reminded of them now and then. As I started reading the text from John 3 for today, I wasn't thinking ahead to what would be in verses 1-17 . Obviously John 3: 1-17 would contain that so familiar verse of God so loving us. Yet, they took me by surprise as I came upon the words right there under my nose. I looked up with love. I had a long drive to PA today and along the way I heard a song twice that caught my attention - Underdog by Alicia Keys. It speaks of: One conversation, a single moment The things that change us if we notice When we look up, sometimes .... This goes out to the underdog Keep on keeping at what you love You'll find that someday soon enough You will rise up, rise up, yeah I hope you hear the song sometime. Google it to listen. Google the lyrics to read the short stories of conversations, moments, things that change us...if we notice...if we look up. Look up with love. God so loved the world. How will you share God's love today? -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your grace. Thank you for the great example of Father Abraham. May we have faith like him, great faith in you. Amen.
Reading: Romans 4:1-5, 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? Reflection: “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring- not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham.” Hallelujah, hallelujah- we have been saved by grace! That is so powerful. We could never earn our salvation by our works, and I don’t know about you, but I am so thankful for that. Abraham is our faith super star; his faithful actions are amazing in the midst of struggling to conceive with his wife Sarah, and to then be asked by God to sacrifice his only son (sounds familiar…could this foreshadow Jesus’ sacrifice?). If we were to depend on how righteous our actions were, faith would mean nothing, and we would constantly miss the mark. The graciousness of God is what sets us free from this worry. If we put out faith and trust in him, we will continue to fall short in this life, but we can find peace in knowing God’s unwavering love. We do not have to fear, so make your mistakes boldly, as humans are prone to do. And then boldly proclaim Christ as your Savior by grace alone. And try, try again! --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: Dear God, you are with us every step everywhere we go. We see your power in everything around us and. Thank you for your protection forever. Amen Reading: Psalm 121 (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 am a beach person; my husband a mountain man. He loved the forests and hills; I loved watching the never-ending waves. We camped on the side of a mountain during a wild night of storms. Our whole family hiked a mountain in New Hampshire; including grandparents and grandchildren. We stayed at a hotel very near Niagara Falls and the children wondered when the waterfall would be turned off. God shows His power in the majestic, snowcapped mountains and the crashing waves. Sometimes His path is steep and rugged. He wants us to reach higher levels of love and compassion. And He is with us every step of the way. -- Alice Yeakel We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on March 11, 2014.
Prayer: O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out whit good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a (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 began to pull away from the curb for a one-day excursion, I asked my wife, June, “Where are we going?” “Do you have the map?” When she said, “Just drive. I’ll tell you where to turn,” I literally stopped the car half way out into the driving lane. There was no way I was ready to just go and not know where we were going and how we were to get there. That should give you an idea about what challenges me in the lesson for today. “Go…to the land that I will show you,” God tells Abram. “So Abram went,” the passage ends. No road map. No GPS. Just a promise of great blessings. What do you think? How much of our life’s journey is by God’s promise and God’s GPS? There have been a few times when God and I agreed about the next step in my life’s journey. Other times, I ended up where God wanted me when I was very hesitant. This much I’ve learned: God gets us to where God wants us to be. Many times it’s through detours we set up. But, God always wins. So, why not just trust God in the first place? Go to the place that God shows us. That would probably save us a bunch of time and aggravation. But, here is the really good news—even when we resist God and go our own way, GOD EVENTUALLY GETS US WHERE GOD WANTS US. It's the best GPS there is. By the way, June’s day was a great one. We ended up at New Hope, PA, after lunch at Brickerville Inn! --Jim Bricker |
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