Prayer: Compassionate God, you give us simple rules to follow, asking no more of us than of any child. Help me to obey your loving commands and to be less of a test to others. Amen. Reading: Mark 10:2-16 (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: Jody has five apples. He gave three apples to his best friends: Ari, Tommy, and Shaqira. How many apples does Jody have? My son once brought this kind of word problem to me, confused why he got the answer wrong and missed out on a perfect score. My child had absorbed my contrarian-grammarian rules so deeply, he took the test writer at their word: Jody has five apples, as we have been told. After chuckling I explained how the question was meant to read Jody had five apples before his act of sharing! (And yes, his corrected paper was returned to his teacher with my suggestion she edit the wording before next using that worksheet.) Sometimes it seems like everything is a test. A test of patience. A test to pass or fail. A test to catch you up. For Jesus, this question was meant to discredit him before the crowds, maybe even expose his heresy with “the law.” Even his disciples struggled with the complexities of human relationships which so often defy simple answers. Yet simplicity is both the answer and expectation. It boils down to the Golden Rule and treating each other with kindness and consideration. Something even a child understands. --Heather Wolf
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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 October 3, 2018.
Prayer: Help us, Lord. We are left to make so many decisions of our own. Help and guide us in our choices. May we know what is best through you. Amen Reading: Hebrews 1: 1-4, 2: 5-12 (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: These verses in Hebrews are confusing. (See question 1 above.) Especially verses 6-8 in chapter 2. We are told God has "left nothing outside (our) control." Yet, in my mind, we are not, should not and cannot be in total control. This is a mighty challenge, a heavy weight. Who's in charge here? Not so sure it should be me. Has God (or have we?) allowed ourselves too much control in ways that harm our destiny? I shudder at the thought: Suppose I make a mistake? What if my decision or choice is not for the best? I guess the best we can do is pray for God's guidance and help. Who's in charge? I am and I ask God to help me. -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: Dear God, how majestic is your name and all you have created. May we be caretakers of the wonders of this world and praise you for your glory. Amen
Reading: Psalm 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: God has given us so much! Are we aware of all God provides or do we take blessings for granted? Stop for a moment and consider the majesty of creation. Then think about our role in caring for it. In Psalm 8, we are implored us to do so. God makes human beings the royalty of creation and gives us responsibility for caring for creation. The soil we walk on. The trees we sit under. The waters in the ocean, lakes and streams where we boat, fish and swim. We are to exercise godly care for everything. We are caretakers of God’s creation with shovels, rakes, brooms, and even litter bags. We are caretakers of God’s glory as we praise. --Alice Yeakel Prayer: Creator God, thank you for the helpers in our lives. May we be helpers to others. We are grateful we are not alone. Amen
Reading: Genesis 2: 18-24 (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: Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” Genesis 2: 18 I lost my helpmate four years ago. Sometimes is not easy dealing with numerous decisions and issues. Having three children and five grandchildren has helped tremendously: plus the support of neighbors and church friends. My neighbor Ed and his dog Dewey stop by almost every morning. My friend Ginny calls every day. She and I are going off to our church camp this weekend for a retreat. For the record, Ginny is 90-ish and I am close to that; proving church camp is for all ages! As John Donne wrote: ‘’No man is an island”. We all need someone. So be mindful and grateful for your support team. In return, remember to offer your help and friendship. Watch and listen! --Alice Yeakel Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the gifts and abilities you have given me. You are faithful and loving. Thank you for your son who gave his life for us. Thank you for the opportunity this summer to teach about him and you and these great gifts. Amen.
Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 (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: This treasure in a jar of clay is the spirit of God at work through us. We can share God’s love and teach about His goodness. This ability is because of and through God. Without Him we could not do this. There may be times, as the passage says, that it is hard to live out Christ’s word and to tell of His good news. But it is what we are called to do and with God working through us we can do these things. That is an amazing gift. --Grace Roux Prayer: Dear God, as we are in this together, may we be there for each other. Thank you for being with us always. Amen
Reading: Mark 9: 38-50 (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 recent travels, I saw a billboard and yard signs that read, “We are all in this together. How timely not just for this moment but always. So many challenges to face together. Flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, sickness, and more. There are always people in the same boat trying to stay afloat. How? By helping each other. During World War II, we sometimes made do with limited butter, sugar, laundry soap and gasoline. One pair of shoes a year! And we survived. Sacrifices not seen as hardships but simply adjustments without complaint. All in it together. Our text today also reminds us we are in this together. Jesus says, “Whoever is not against us is for us,” so give that cup of water to one who needs it. Jesus warns anyone to not put a stumbling block in front of others but rather support each other with belief. Jesus encourages to have salt in ourselves and be at peace with one another. What does all this mean? What does all this look like? Let’s figure that out together because we are all in this together. And remember, God is with us, too. --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 October 12, 2018.
Prayer: Teach us to pray, O Lord. Reading: James 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: How many times have we prayed for folks who are sick and suffering? Lots, I’m sure. That is something we do. But I’m struck by James’ take. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up. So, why do we pray? Why do we anoint? Because in and through our prayers God is busy raising people up. Wow! How does that work, you might ask? Beats me. I just know it is so. Keep praying. --Jim Bricker We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on January 24, 2019.
Prayer: God above, may our presence be a message of your love without words. Amen Reading: Psalm 19 (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 sun, the moon, the stars, the planets are always "up there." They make not a sound. They send a silent message of God’s marvelous works. Can we learn a lesson from this? Can we share God’s message without saying a word? A new neighbor of ours gave birth to a baby with serious health issues. Our pastor went to visit with her and asked, "What can I say?” and proceeded to sit with her in that unfriendly hospital room. He simply held her hand. She later told me that meant more than a thousand words -- Alice Yeakel Prayer: Provider, savior, and ultimate caregiver, thank you for everything I have ever had and will ever had. May I remember to be grateful. Amen.
Reading: Numbers 11:4-6 (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: For my mother’s 75th birthday, we ordered live lobsters from our Williamsport seafood vendor (call out to Helmrich’s for coming in special on a Monday morning!). When we lived in New England, fresh seafood was no big deal, something to pick up from roadside vendors along the Maine coastline. I know of a girl whose dad was a lobsterman through the ‘70s and ‘80s; as an adult, she vowed never to eat that “leftover” again. And, if you know your American history you may have read how the early English settlers dubbed this plentiful sea-bug the “poor man’s protein.” Isn’t it amusing how fickle our pleasures can be? It’s worth remembering that God’s love for us never gets old. Try to look around your world today and see things with a fresh eye. [Go ahead, sing the “funky fresh” version of Kumbaya, too!] --Heather Wolf Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the chance to do work in your kingdom. Help me to find ways to be gentle and patient toward others today. Help me to glorify you in all I do and say. Amen.
Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6 (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: We are one body. That is an easy thing to say, but in life it can be a hard thing to act out. Paul, the writer of Ephesians, gives us some advice on how to do it. He says to be humble, gentle, and patient. It is important for us to be gentle and patient with one another to grow together. It can be hard when working with others and in life in general to not compare yourself to them. But it is important for us to be humble, not looking to see who is doing a better job, but to just be doing our best for the kingdom of God. In Timothy Keller’s book, “The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness” he talks about having gospel humility. To be truly gospel humble we must not think less of ourselves but think of ourselves less. Being patient and gentle with others is one good way to do this. This summer find ways to think of yourself less and more about the way God is working in you and how that love can help those around you. What are some ways you can “live a life worthy of the calling you have received”? Why is it important for us to be humble, gentle, and patient as Christians and as we work in the kingdom of God? --Grace Roux Prayer: Dear God, we are broken but growing in your love and our love for each other. May we all see each other as your children. Amen
Reading: Mark 9: 30-37 (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: Jesus tells us to embrace His children and in doing so we are welcoming Him and His kingdom into our lives. I read a book about a family with four adopted children…the oldest being 19. All had challenges in their broken lives. Would the adopting parents be able to mend their broken-ness? Essentially, we are all children of God and we all are broken in places. God can heal and, with love, we can help in the healing process for ourselves and others. We can help each other grow. My 6th grade teacher wrote one sentence in my autograph book,” Someday you’ll be an author.” I keep trying. Here I am writing! --Alice Yeakel Prayer: Dear God, just when we think all we need to do is ask and receive, it happens that we don’t. Thank you for the reminder that sometimes it is because we are asking wrongly. Thank you even more that love always come. Amen
Reading: James 3: 13 – 4: 3, 7-8a (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: Seek and ye shall find, Knock and the door shall be opened, Ask and it shall be given And the love comes a’tricklin down. That’s a song I sang as a child. It was encouraging. It sounded like a guarantee of all things good. Children love that; as do adults. So we were taught it by the grown-ups and we sang it a lot. Our text today from James, however, reminds us that sometimes we don’t get what we ask for. So, going back to the song I guess it would be good to realize that we seek but what we find but it might not be what we thought we were looking for. We knock and the door will open but there is no telling what may be on the other side. We ask and something will be given even if not what was expected. So, the song is still true and this is most certainly true. Love comes a’tricklin down. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Forgiving God, you sent your son as a suffering servant who died for our sins. Forgive us as we forgive others and help us to spread your love to others we meet. Hear our prayer. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 54 (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’s a lot in this passage where the writer is asking for something. Save me, hear my prayer, help me, repay my enemies, and deliver me are all mentioned. It also says this is a maskil, which was a word I did not know. So, I looked it up. The dictionary says it is a person versed in Hebrew or Yiddish literature, especially a follower or adherent of the Haskalah movement. My translation also mentions that this is to be sung with stringed instruments. Vindication is also mentioned. That’s the action of clearing someone of blame or suspicion. So, our writer is asking God to clear him. Isn’t that what God does for us, through Jesus. Aren’t we cleared of the blame of sin? What should be our response? Well, just maybe, singing a song with stringed instruments! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: God, you are my best friend and trusted companion. Nothing I say, think, or do will ever change that. Thank you for being with me through my greatest trials and my greatest joys. May I never question your faith in me and help me to be more worthy of that love. Amen.
Reading: Jeremiah 11: 18-20 (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: Friendship – real and enduring friendship – is a gift of relationship. I have a few close friends with whom I share my personal stories, most intimate hopes and fears, joys and sorrow. Together, we’ve endured the loss of parents, births of children, medical tests and diagnoses, promotions, struggles with addiction, new homes, anxiety attacks, and more. We know each other intimately. We can speak openly and honestly with one another. Our opinions differ on many subjects, yet our character and core values are basically the same. The pain that comes from losing a friend – through betrayal, conflict, time, distance – is rivaled only by the shock that such relationships can have an end. When the people we trust and love the most let us down, it’s devastating. We might lash out. We may try to get even. Our other friendships may be expected to take sides. Such a blow tests our faith in humanity. In Jeremiah’s words, I hear that level of hurt. There’s a sense of betrayal and shock at the realization that those he meant to help could want him not just dead - erased. This passage reminds me how much Jeremiah must have cared about these people to feel so blind-sided by their treachery. Yet he moves past that hurt to put his trust in the Lord. He doesn’t lash out. He doesn’t try to get even. He turns to God and trusts in Him to sort it out. He reminds us that the covenant from God is not only with His people; it’s a personal promise, one that truly endures forever. --Heather Wolf Prayer: God, you are my best friend and trusted companion. Nothing I say, think, or do will ever change that. Thank you for being with me through my greatest trials and my greatest joys. May I never question your faith in me and help me to be more worthy of that love. Amen.
Reading: Jeremiah 11: 18-20 (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: Friendship – real and enduring friendship – is a gift of relationship. I have a few close friends with whom I share my personal stories, most intimate hopes and fears, joys and sorrow. Together, we’ve endured the loss of parents, births of children, medical tests and diagnoses, promotions, struggles with addiction, new homes, anxiety attacks, and more. We know each other intimately. We can speak openly and honestly with one another. Our opinions differ on many subjects, yet our character and core values are basically the same. The pain that comes from losing a friend – through betrayal, conflict, time, distance – is rivaled only by the shock that such relationships can have an end. When the people we trust and love the most let us down, it’s devastating. We might lash out. We may try to get even. Our other friendships may be expected to take sides. Such a blow tests our faith in humanity. In Jeremiah’s words, I hear that level of hurt. There’s a sense of betrayal and shock at the realization that those he meant to help could want him not just dead - erased. This passage reminds me how much Jeremiah must have cared about these people to feel so blind-sided by their treachery. Yet he moves past that hurt to put his trust in the Lord. He doesn’t lash out. He doesn’t try to get even. He turns to God and trusts in Him to sort it out. He reminds us that the covenant from God is not only with His people; it’s a personal promise, one that truly endures forever. --Heather Wolf Prayer: Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will sing praises to my God all my life long. To God be the glory. Amen
Reading: Psalm 146 (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: Our organist recently retired. Susie served our church for over 31 years as organist, children’s choirs director, Chancel Choir accompanist…the music behind all our praising for decades. We’ve been at our church for 29 years; just more than half my life. When the Psalmist says, I will sing praises to my God all my life long. (Psalm 146: 2b), I can honestly say for half my life I’ve been singing with Susie at the organ bench. Thank you, Susie. Thanks be to God! Soli Deo Gloria. (To God be the Glory) -Ruth Gates Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to see you as you are and who you are. Let me also look upon myself and my responses about you in honesty and realization of the revelation of what is in my heart and mind as it translates into action. Strengthen me to be strong and suffer for the sake of others. May my life be to the glory of your Name and the Cross that you bore for all of humanity. Amen.
Reading: Mark 8: 27-38 (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 bit in many comedy shows where they send out a reporter with a microphone and a camera person to randomly ask average people a question. The answers can be funnier than the star. They can also seem to get more and more funny as person after person gives their take on things. The reporter can add flat or sarcastic prompts, “Yes, there are 54 states in the USA, now…” “You should think for yourself, but you haven’t read it?” Imagine if the reporter turned their mic to you or me. “What about Jesus—who is he to you?” --Andrew Fitch We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on September 9, 2015.
Prayer: Help me, Lord, to be a good witness. Amen. Reading: James 3: 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: James really gives it to teachers in the opening line of this verse. He says they will be judged with greater strictness. All eyes will be on the teachers. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching part-time in higher education for the past 25 years. I enjoy working with college students and imparting wisdom on them. But I do know that they are watching to make sure that my actions match my words. This week, our appointed verses seem to be about listening. We’ve talked about listening to each other and listening to God. I think in this verse we are also being reminded that we are being watched. We watch the actions of others but they also watch us. What will people see when they watch you? --Chad Hershberger Prayer: God my loving parent, companion, and friend, thank you for always being there when I need you. Even when I forget to call. Amen. Reading: Psalm 116: 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: My daughter was a counselor this summer at Camp Mount Luther. She came home energized by the faith she and the other staff re-kindled in themselves through bible studies together. She said the Book of Faith questions (above) provided the framework for engaging conversations and really encouraged everyone to personalize God’s word. Today, she illustrated how she delves into the text for me, using this passage. As she worked through the psalm, my daughter shared aloud her impressions as they took shape. She compared the childlike faith of the psalmist with the innocent confidence children have in their parents, drawing a parallel to how she trusted in her dad and me to keep things right in her world, protect her, and always be there when she needed our presence. As she grew up she realized we couldn’t really prevent all hurt, pain, fear, or injustice from touching her, and that was scary. But, she said, she never doubted our love and support. And if she needs me, she knows I will be there with her through anything. So it is with God. We aren’t promised that life on earth will be without disappointment, confusion, even anguish and heartache. But never are we alone. God is there to answer our call, whenever, wherever, whatever we need. --Heather Wolf We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on April 8, 2014.
Prayer: Give me confidence, O Lord. Guide me. Be with me. 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: Unshakable confidence in God. To teach, to sustain the weary, to hear, to face toward God, to endure insult without retribution, to set our faces like flint and not be distracted. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? (Isaiah 50:9a) Whatever opportunity we have today to share God’s grace, we do it with unshakable confidence in God. Whatever difficulty or evil present today, we confront with unshakable confidence in God. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. (Psalm 46:7 & 11) --Jim Bricker Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for another day in your creation. Help us to recognize the grace that you give us each day. Thank you for sending your son to save us and for showing us patience and love. Amen.
Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (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: The author of 1 Timothy is the Apostle Paul. Paul is very clear in this passage that he is sinful. He even goes as far as to say that he is the foremost of sinners or in other words sinner #1, the biggest sinner. He is aware of his sin and the effect it has on his life. BUT more importantly he is aware of the love and grace that comes from Jesus and his death and resurrection. He is aware of the patience that God has with him (and us) as sinners, and the undeserving love we receive. He gives glory to God because of this, and he is humbled by this knowledge. I am very sinful, and I think I can learn a lot from Paul. He is showing us how important it is to be humble and give glory to God because of the grace he gives us even with our sinful nature. How have you seen Christ’s mercy, grace, and patience in your life? How can we show others? --Grace Roux We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on August 31, 2015.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we are glad your presence is not a secret to us. We can find you if we only look. Thank you. Amen Reading: Mark 7: 24-27 (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: Jesus had just gotten done dealing with the Pharisees and teachers of the law. He had just gotten done explaining about what is clean and unclean. Jesus the man just wanted to be alone so he left town. He went to a house in Tyre and did not want anyone to know it. Yet, he could not keep his presence a secret. Word got out to one woman who must have been waiting, watching and listening for him. As soon as she heard, she was there to find Jesus. It took being on the lookout, persistent and faithful, but she got what she wanted. Today, Jesus the Savior does not keep his presence a secret from us. But, if he did, would we be on the lookout, persistent and faithful? Keep looking. Jesus is here for us. --Ruth Gates Prayer: Work on our hearts, Lord, to make us see people as you see them. Amen.
Reading: James 2: 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: This summer, I’ve been reading a book by Jean Becker called The Man I Knew. Becker was the chief of staff to Former President George H. W. Bush in his post-presidency. I’m a bit of a presidential historian and have enjoyed reading her stories of one of my favorite presidents. Becker recalled a person who worked for President and Mrs. Bush for years. She said that the man did not look the part. He wasn’t dressed for success and the way he spoke could often be deemed less than professional. But he was loyal to George and Barbara and did whatever he could to serve them. I thought of that story when I read today’s Bible verse. God looks on the inside of us and sees us for who we are. Do we do that to others? Or do we look at outward appearances and make judgments before we get to know someone? Maybe we should strive to be more like the Bushes, who looked on the inside. I’m sure that’s what Christ would do! --Chad Hershberger |
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