Prayer: When we read your Word, give us insight into what you are saying. Help us, God, to live better lives. Amen.
Reading: Ezekiel 33: 7-11 (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: Sometimes when I read a passage from the lectionary, I wonder why on earth did they have us read that this week. That’s how I felt about today’s Bible reading. Without looking up context or doing some serious research into this story, on the surface, I had no clue about what to write about today. These verses seem to me to be telling us a little bit more about repentance. Repentance is turning from our old, evil ways and being better. Can I be better today than I was yesterday? Certainly! Can I be better about how I treat others around me today then I have in the past? Certainly! Each day gives us the opportunity to be better. Wait! Each second of every minute we can strive to be better. Hey- that’s a good message. Even in the difficult verses of the Bible, we can find God’s grace and love. --Chad Hershberger
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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 23, 2013.
Prayer: Christ Jesus, our Shepherd and Savior, give us water when we thirst, food when we hunger, and life when we face death. Thanks be to you for satisfying our needs. Amen. Reading: Psalm 139: 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: Over the years, I’ve been able to do some research on prayer. I have studied different styles of prayer, how you “should” pray, and how prayer improves the spiritual well-being of each of us. A short time ago, I read a devotional book that had an interesting new twist on prayer. The author writes, "A few years back, I started beginning my prayers differently. I began saying to God, 'You go first.' Then I would quietly wait for thought to start crossing my mind. I assumed that God would bring to mind the most important things I needed to pray about. If they were positive thoughts, I would pray them back with joy. If they were negative thoughts, I would pray about them with courage and honesty." Ever since I read this, I have been intrigued. I occasionally try it and he is right; usually, something comes to mind that I should pray about. I think it is good for us to remember that when we turn to God in prayer, it should not just be a laundry list of things we want. Rather, we should look to God in praise, thanksgiving, and in genuine conversation with our maker. Perhaps if we listened more than we talked, new and interesting things might start happening in our lives! --Chad Hershberger We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on August 25, 2014.
Prayer: Lord, help me take up my cross and follow you. Amen. Reading: Matthew 16: 21-28 (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: So, you are standing there, with Jesus, and he says, "I'm on my way to Jerusalem. I'm going to be killed, and then God will raise me up on the third day." What would your response be? Peter, as we read today, disputes Jesus. "This will never happen to you," he replies. But Jesus knows the truth. And he calls Satan out for making Peter think of human things instead of divine things. Has that happened in your life? Do you dispute with Jesus, setting your mind on human things and not divine things? Jesus, in our story, reminds his disciples that they need to follow Him and take up their cross. How often, in our lives, do we need to be reminded of the same thing? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Show us your love, God, so that we might show that love to others. Everyone! Amen.
Reading: Romans 12: 9-21 (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 the Bible where I read this passage, the title says, “Marks of the True Christian.” Do you think you could boil all that is said there into one easy command? Well, Jesus did. “Love.” I think Jesus said there were only two things that we needed to do. Love God and love our neighbor (read everyone) as ourselves. So often, doctrine and history get in the way of what we should do as Christians. But it is really this simple. LOVE! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Show us your firm, unwavering, love, God, just like you did David. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 26: 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: In this passage, David mentions God’s steadfast love. Steadfast. That’s an interesting word. My dictionary says it means, “resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.” This summer at camp, our staff discussed Biblical characters and how God was with them and they passed down the faith. “From Generation to Generation” explored how we are part of God’s story of faithfulness. I guess maybe we should have called God’s love steadfast. I like that. Strong, firm, and never-ending. Steadfast. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Deliver us, O Lord, from those things that make us weary. Give us strength. Take us to a better place. Amen.
Reading: Jeremiah 15: 15-21 (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’m tired of COVID.” I’ve heard these words come out of my mouth. I’ve heard these words come of other’s mouths. It’s been five months. We are tired of this. I want life to get back to normal. Read today’s passage from Jeremiah with a “COVID” lens. When I read this, I thought, “Wow! This guy could be writing this today.” This summer at camp, we talked about how the stories of the Bible can be a way to see how the situations those characters faced are similar to what we face. And, we can gain some “holy” insight into what we need to do today. At the end of this passage, we hear, “I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.” Today, Jeremiah might write about God, “I will deliver you out of the hand of COVID and bring you normalcy again.” --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Father, creator, and friend: help me to know my gifts and use them in service to you and your world. Guide me in where I go and what I do. Amen.
Reading: Romans 12:1-8 (Click here 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 have had a lot of jobs. When I was in grade school, I read a book about shining shoes and then went around to neighbors, offering the service. It didn’t last long, but I still remember the pride of receiving praise and a quarter for every pair polished and buffed. At McDonald’s, about six years later, I earned smiles (and quite a few more quarters) greeting customers and getting to know a few regulars. Regulars became friends when I started bartending, listening and learning and sometimes sharing my own stories. Out of college, I taught English: more stories, more smiles, more sharing. Most recently, I joined a lifelong learning program which brings me together with new people and their fascinating life experiences. There have been other positions, of course, but only a few didn’t work out. Those were because I didn’t have the right gifts to manage well what needed to be done. (I learned from the one-hour-film-development industry, mechanical operations are not one of my skillsets!) I am reminded of Martin Luther’s exhortation that every occupation holds honor before God, so long as it’s done with a glad heart and to the best of our ability; by serving humanity we serve God. Soon, I will be looking for a new, full-time career. With God’s help, I will find a calling where I may best apply whatever gifts God has given me to better my life and the hearts of others. --Heather LeBlanc Prayer: God, our solid rock, build our faith to be rock solid. Amen
Reading: Matthew 16: 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: As a child attending Sunday School, I pictured the disciple Peter as a rock, maybe even a statue, and that St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome was built upon the rock where Peter stood. Later I came to understand that Christ and His teachings are the rock upon which we base our lives, beliefs, and our actions. There is an impressive organ solo entitled “Thou Art the Rock”. We sing the simple hymn, “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand”. Whatever I pictured of Peter, rock…statue…cathedral, the point is we can all be living rocks of God’s teachings. If you are wondering how you can possibly be a rock of faith, remember it was Jesus who said, “…you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” (v. 18). Jesus makes more of people than they can make of themselves. Someone once said “Our daily lives are the only Bible some people read.” Will they read something rock solid? --Alice Yeakel Prayer: Dear God, thank you for blessing us all with unique gifts and inviting us to be a part of the body of Christ. May we continue to use them humbly to serve your Kingdom and our neighbors. We love you! Amen.
Reading: Romans 12:1-8 (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: We are all members of one body of Christ. We are all different and the same. We all have unique qualities and talents that we can share with one another. When we come together as children of God to serve and love one another, we are complete! Just as a body has many unique parts that serve specific purposes – noses for smelling, mouths for smiling, feet for walking, even toes for wiggling- the body of Christ is not complete without each unique member. As Paul says here in verses 6, 7, and 8 – we each have special gifts for giving, teaching, encouraging, serving, leading, and so on! This reminds me of a Sesame Street book I had growing up, and I remember reading it (or having it read to me) frequently! It was called “We’re Different, We’re the Same” and it ends by saying that a rainbow would be boring if it were just one color. Similarly, our world is more exciting and complete when differences come together. When we come together as different and unique individuals whom all belong as one body of Christ, we are stronger. We lift each other up. Paul says to be humble in your service in the body – do not think more highly of yourself than you ought to (verse 3). We’re all different. We’re the same body of Christ. Here is a link to a read aloud of the book! It has really creative illustrations too! https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6o8823 --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 February 7, 2019.
Prayer: Lord, I call on you each day and you strengthen my soul. Fulfill your purpose for me. Thank you for your steadfast love. Amen Reading: Psalm 138 (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 have been thinking a lot about purpose lately. Mostly because someone recently asked me what has been my biggest accomplishment and what are my goals. Still thinking or, in other words, praying. Can I get back to you on that? Psalm 138 is all about thanksgiving and praise with a bit of strength, purpose and love mixed in, too. On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steafast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Psalm 138: 3, 8 So, I am praying today knowing God will answer. God will strengthen my soul and fulfill his purpose for me. I will be thankful for God's love and literally sing praise as choir practice is tonight. Call to God. Whatever our accomplishments and goals are, they are wrapped up in God's love and purpose. So what your yours? You can get back to me on that. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear Father, Thank you for this huge human family of coots, kooks, servants, and queens. May I remember always that we all make mistakes and try to be accepting of others, as well as of myself. Amen. Reading: Isaiah 51:1-6 (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: A few summers ago, my congregation gathered for intergenerational Sunday School using Sparkhouse’s Ancestors of the Bible re:Form series. It is a humorous and provocative study of the human side to the leaders who fill the stories of the old and new testaments. We found empathy with Sarah’s struggles and Abraham’s missteps; we acknowledged David’s incredible selfishness and found similar sin in our own hearts. We laughed over Noah drinking too much, and we related to “Jonah: the passive-aggressive coot.” As we considered how our descendance from this family tree includes inherited strengths and weaknesses, we remembered that these “chosen” people were no different from you or me. God blesses His people. He saves. He comforts. He delivers. No matter how things seem to change and vanish, there is no end to the legacy of His love. If you want to check out the study, some of it is available free online: https://www.wearesparkhouse.org/store/category/286825/re-form-Ancestors. --Heather LeBlanc Prayer: Dear God, be with us when the tide is low, and we feel like there is no way out. Calm our weary minds of troubling thoughts. Strengthen our hearts. Amen.
Reading: James 1: 2-5 (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: At times in your life you may feel low or sad or stressed. Often, I find myself buried under a pile of work and other activities and feel like there is no way out. This passage from James sets you on the right track by letting you know that you will become stronger from your low points. He also tells us to look to God for answers. So, the next time you are not feeling so amazing, open that Bible of yours because it has some good enlightening knowledge! --Aliena Reed We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on January 7, 2013.
Prayer: Mediate on or discuss with one another this quote: "Faith is a belief in what you do not yet see, and the reward of faith is to see what you believe." (Author Unknown) Reading: Matthew 15: 21-28 (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: I must admit it-- I do not like Brussel sprouts. I like all other vegetables, but I would pass on Brussel sprouts every time. I do not know why I don't like them; I like cabbage fixed other ways, but I don't like those sprouts. Maybe my dislike comes from the evening I had to sit at the dinner table all by myself after everyone else left because I had not finished my Brussel sprouts. My mom made me sit there until I ate every last bite. If I remember correctly, I lived out our Bible text for today by giving them to our dog. Unfortunately, I then told my mom that I had eaten them. (I did admit it years later!) I was eating dinner once a young child and Brussel sprouts were on the menu. I told his mother that I did not like Brussel sprouts (and I was not alone-- neither did her husband) but I encouraged the boy to try them. Maybe he would like the "casserole" as he called them. I knew I did not! Since everyone has their own taste, I wanted him to try the sprouts-- even though I knew I did not want to touch them. At another point in my life, I was forced by my mother to eat a piece of fruit. She told me that if I ate a banana at supper, she would buy me a roll of film for my new camera. (Yes, I know this story dates me in our digital age!) I had just gotten that new Kodak and the deal sounded appealing. I was not a big fruit fan, but I ate one so that I could get that roll of film. And, I liked it. Today, bananas remain my favorite fruit. Two experiences, basically the same, being forced to do something with two different outcomes. I still do not like Brussel sprouts, but I love bananas. Maybe if my mom would have promised me a roll of film if I ate my Brussel sprouts, I'd like them more. But I doubt it! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Father, when I disappoint you, show me how to make it up to you. When I turn away, call me back. When I need time to think, provide the space. Thank you for your loving guidance, Abba, always. Amen. Reading: Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-32 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 a parent, the hardest part of raising children has always been in dealing with their disobedience. Too often, their transgressions seemed predictable, or worse, so similar to my own earlier rule-breaking that it seemed hypocritical to punish their bad behavior. Yet, I believe parents are charged by God to steer, teach, correct, and yes, punish their children. And so, wrongdoings were answered with reprimands, confiscation of property, groundings. These penalties sometimes met tears and objections that worried me – would my child receive the intended time to think and learn, or did they merely feel rejected? Thankfully, the bible provides lessons in love, mercy, and forgiveness to guide us in how we deal with our kids’ mistakes. And by grace, we can also find assurance that our Father tolerates our disobedience with the same patient, merciful love. We are created with free choice, and so, we will screw up. It’s inevitable. Then, we will be corrected. God has no intention of rejecting us, only redressing our mistakes. Eventually, hopefully, we will learn and improve. --Heather LeBlanc Prayer: Dear God, we praise you for your blessings around us. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 67 (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 getting ready to write a devotion, I first take out my NRSV Bible, the same translation used in the link to click on above and read the text from there. If I need another translation, I grab my NIV Bible which was a gift from Camp Mount Luther Summer 2006. If the text is a Psalm, I sometimes pull out a book called Psalms/Now in which the psalmists’ prayers are in the words and phrases of today. Psalm 67 is a song of praise to God; particularly praying for help and asking for God’s blessing. So, it caught my eye and stopped my thoughts in their tracks when the Psalms/Now paraphrase contained the line, “God’s blessings are all about us.” Wait. What? That sounds rather self-centered and self-serving. Don’t you think? Seems to be saying it’s all about me, me, me (and you). Oh! Wait. I was looking at it from the wrong direction. It’s not that God’s blessings are all about US (you and me). It’s that God’s blessings are ALL ABOUT (all around) us. See how that can be flipped back and forth? Think about it. Then look all around. Blessed! --Ruth Gates Prayer: Triune God, gather us into your fold and teach us what it is to be members of the human family. Help us right our wrongs and share your love. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 56: 1, 6-8 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 must this have meant to the Israelites with no idea of Jesus as the embodiment of this promise? They believed they alone were God’s chosen people. Isaiah telling them to welcome foreigners into their folds seems in conflict with many of the precepts in Deuteronomy, Numbers, and Leviticus. All around, there’s such division among good people who act like affiliations must be restricted to club members, and associations have become mutually exclusive. Are you liberal OR conservative? Do Black Lives Matter, OR does the safety of our police? Should we protect others from a virus that might kill them, or do we allow churches to worship and businesses to operate? Can you admire the accomplishments historical ancestors, OR do you revile any person who ever made a mistake? I don’t know what the answers are to these issues. I see validity in both sides’ arguments. The anger and pain consuming society are the products of centuries of oppression, injustice, and selfishness by some against the other. But exclusion does not fit with God’s plans for us. He created the world in duality: male and female, light and day, land and sea; ANDs not ORs. Until we learn to live in communion, doing what is right, maintaining justice, and remembering that His promise is for all peoples, we are failing God’s desires for His creation. --Heather LeBlanc Prayer: Dear God, thank you for friends who are encouraging. Help me build others up instead of tearing them down. Help me support those I love and help me let them know I care. In Jesus name, Amen.
Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (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: Paul told the people of Thessalonica that they needed to encourage one another. They needed to build each other up instead of tearing each other down. That would help them to grow as a Christian community. That would make them stronger since they knew others were helping them along the way. That is true for any community. That is one reason that a lot of people pick a church. They feel encouraged and accepted. Any community of people is stronger if they encourage each other and have each other’s backs. It is a lot easier to be in a community where you are encouraged and not discouraged. Hopefully, we take the time to encourage those around us. It just lets people know that you care and that you are supporting them. I know I will try to be more encouraging and let people know that I appreciate what they are doing for me and others. Maybe take a little time today to write a note or two of thanks or encouragement. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Saving God, hold us as we step out into the challenges of life. Our confidence is in you. Thank you for your love always. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 14: 22-33 (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 the 1940’s, polio was the disease that frightened everyone. About four years later the polio vaccine was developed. In those four years I was not allowed to go to the park pool and missed learning how to swim. I was also four years older and too self conscious. Thus I never learned to swim. You might also say I lacked confidence. Peter started walking across the water to meet Jesus and he became frightened. He lost the confidence to continue on and he began to sink. How often we are faced with challenges and are afraid to just take that first step? Or we take the first step and then lose confidence? But we are assured. God is our life preserver. He holds out His loving hand and carries us through the challenging rough waters of our lives. --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 August 9, 2017.
Prayer: Lord, bless our hands and feet so that we may spread the good news of righteousness by faith for all to hear. Reading: Romans 10:5-15 (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: One of the Apostle Paul’s favorite topics to write about is justification by faith, also referred to as “righteousness that is by faith.” Which is what is mentioned in today’s scripture reading. Justification by faith is all about disregarding the system of justification by works or law, where people were measured by their performance of good works, and instead celebrating the faithful at heart. Only God knows our hearts, so it does no good to boast in our good works and do it all for a big show. Good works do not earn your favor in the sight of the Lord, Jesus already saved us all on the cross. Instead our good works are signs of our salvation and faith in Jesus Christ. I love the last line in today’s reading, it says: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” and naturally I think of camp counselor feet. Many staff members have their favorite pair of sandals and throughout the summer those feet see many miles and smiles. Despite the actual appearance of those feet- whether they are a bit muddy, smelly, or they have an oddly shaped tan, they are beautiful. As children of God, created in His image, when we carry the Good News of Jesus our hands and feet radiate with beauty. --Anne Harshbarger Prayer: Dear God, we are ready to share your love with our friends and family. We are ready to spread the message of Jesus every day. Help us reach out to others to tell them about you. Amen!
Reading: Acts 16:1-15 (Click to read text) or Spark Bible, p. 532 Questions to Answer:
First Light Activity: Draw WHO, WHERE, WHEN, and/or HOW you first heard about God with chalk, markers, or crayons. Think about this activity relates to today’s story What About Us Reflection: Think about this story from the context of your life and in your neighborhood.
Prayer: Righteous God, we faithfully look to you. Meet us where we are. May faith and love be in our hearts always. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 85: 8-13 (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: Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. Psalm 85: 11 As faith springs up and righteousness looks down, you get the idea they meet. Where? Neither at a particular point exactly halfway between nor somewhere either towards the top or closer to the bottom. Simply saying there is a meeting place. What a wonderful place to be. Look for it where you are. Find it in your heart. There is another way of putting this. Talk to some Camp Mount Luther staff and they will tell you about Camp being a thin place. It has to do with it being a meeting place but they would explain better. Ask them. It’s a wonderful place to be. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear God, thank you for watching over Mary and giving us her son who you sent to forgive our sins. Help us to continue to praise you and be faithful to you during hard times. Continue to be with us this day. Amen.
Reading: Luke 1: 26-38, 46-55 (Click to read text) or Spark Bible Pg. 196 - 201 Questions To Answer:
Reflection: Mary was afraid when the angel came to her. She was worried about what it would mean for her to have baby Jesus. Even though she was afraid she still trusted in God and followed his plan for her life. It is important for us to still praise God and follow him even when we are unsure of where God is leading us. We often get big news just as Mary did, but it’s important to know that God is always watching over us in the midst of hardships, uncertainty, and big news. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. --Grace Roux, Tori Callahan Activity: Now draw on paper with markers or crayons what you think Mary’s reaction would look like when she first saw the angel. Prayer: Creator almighty, humble me, guide me, lead me, love me. Help me to trust in your ways and your will. Amen.
Reading: I Kings 19: 9-18 (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: I recently re-read The Stand, by Stephen King. In it, the character of Mother Abagail reminds those who will stand against Evil that there are aspects to God beyond human understanding, parts of God that we too often try to ignore or gloss over. He is a father, infinite in love, but also a righteous God, all knowing and almighty; “when it came to matters of judgment, she was satisfied with the answer God had given Moses from the burning bush when Moses had seen fit to question. Who are you? Mose asks, and God comes back from that bush just as pert as you like: I Am, Who I AM.” God’s judgment as expressed to Elijah is hard to read with our modern sensibilities. The word “kill” and the idea of a jealous God makes me uncomfortable. But we are reminded to trust in the Lord, to do His will, to repent and to accept. It is not within our abilities to understand the mind of God, nor His heart. Remember, this is the God who would sentence Ninevah, then forgive; punish the children of Israel, then free them; condemn humanity, then exchange in our stead the sacrifice freely given by His only son. God is great, God is good. --Heather LeBlanc |
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