Love for Others

Stop.

Open up the news. Find a few stories of people who are hurting. Meditating on these stories, reflect on how God calls you to show love to those in need. Pray for the ones in the stories you just read.

Listen.

Let mutual love continue. – Hebrews 13:1

Reflect.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, let’s focus our devotions this week on love. On Tuesday, we talked about loving God. Today, let’s talk about loving others. 

At the beginning of this chapter in Hebrews, the author instructs the readers in a series of faithful actions. Hospitality, serving those imprisoned, living in faithfulness, and avoiding a love of money are all public actions done for the sake of others. It’s just one place where the Bible points to a continuing insistence on love for neighbors. 

When we say “neighbors”, we don’t mean those who live next to you. Saying “neighbors” when considering others simply conveys the reality that we all live and serve right next to each other. Whether around the corner or around the world, God calls us to show compassion and insist on justice for all people. God loves them so we love them, too. 

Love for neighbor isn’t cheap or superficial. It’s a demanding way of life that requires us to constantly ask: how can I serve this person in justice and truth? It often means showing compassion for those you find disagreeable. God’s love is just as real for them as it is for you. Your holy duty and opportunity is to show it.

Pray.

Open my heart to love for others. Keep me accountable to your call to serve faithfully in any possible way. Empower me to show your love for your whole world. Amen.

Carry On.

What’s one simple action you can take today – even right now – to show love for others?

Love For God

Stop.

Set a timer for two minutes. Clear your mind of any thought other than your love for God. Envision breathing in God’s love with every breath.

Listen.

So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. – Deuteronomy 10:12

Reflect.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, it’s a wonderful opportunity to think about love. While you’re probably surrounded with pink hearts and red roses, we have to admit that the romantic love that is intended to represent isn’t the full picture of love. This week, let’s reflect on different aspects of love and what it means for our faith. Today, let’s consider our love for God. 

While sentiments like “God is love” come to us early in our faith education, it doesn’t take long for us to hear conflicting ideas. Many Biblical stories deal with God’s wrath, God’s mysterious action, and God’s unknowable nature. Along with those stories, we hear warnings that we must fear God, not love God. It can seem impossible to hold both things together. Why would you love something that makes you afraid? 

The word translated as “fear” in these Old Testament passages definitely means “fear”. Admittedly, it can also mean “revere”. In this sense, maybe love and fear stand closer together. When we love God, we love that which is so unlike us, so powerfully holy. It can be scary to trust something so beyond our knowledge and understanding. 

And so, while we fear God for God’s otherness, we know we can trust our God who loves us and love God faithfully and well. After all, love calls us beyond what we know and into something holy.

Pray.

I love you, God. I revere you. I recognize that you are not like me, and I trust your work. Let me love others as you love them. Amen.

Carry On.

Can you think of other relationships in your life that balance fear and love? How do they help reveal God to you?

Built On Solid Rock

Stop.

Close your eyes. Feel where your feet are on the ground. Picture God’s love as the foundation on which you stand.

Listen.

[Jesus said] “I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built.” – Luke 6:47-48

Reflect.

This week, we’re listening to the stories between last Sunday’s preaching text and the lesson for tomorrow. We’ve already heard about Jesus calling his disciples and their first teachings. Today, those teachings continue with this story about calling on Jesus in times of trouble. 

Maybe you’ve heard the hymn with the verse: “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking stand.” This verse from Luke inspired that hymn’s verse. Here, Jesus calls his disciples to prepare for hard times by living faithfully and wisely during easy times. When we have a firm foundation of staying in God’s presence, hearing God’s word, and serving God’s people, difficult times cannot destroy us. 

This isn’t to say that you experienced an overwhelming time because you were unfaithful. Jesus doesn’t share this story to shame us. It’s more like cause and effect: because you are centered fully in God’s love and share that love with others, you’ll have what you need to make it through. You can always come to God and trust that God will care for you through hard times. 

But it’s not just about having a relationship with God in those hard times. The best, strongest, most confident faith is built when things are easy and happy. We can trick ourselves into thinking we’re all we need as long as things go well. But when we call on God in good times or hard ones, we stay connected to the truth: our foundation is in God.

Pray.

I call on you, God. Be with me in times of trouble and ease. Stand by me whether I’m sick or strong. Teach me when I’m stubborn and when I’m open to your will. Let me be rooted in you. Amen.

Carry On.

Do times feel rocky or smooth right now? Can you name three ways you see God at work in your life, no matter how things are going?

Blessed

Stop.

Take out a piece of paper and pen. For sixty seconds, write down everything you are grateful for today. Reflect on them, and take a moment to thank God for these gifts.

Listen.

Then [Jesus] looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”

Luke 6:20-21

Reflect.

This week, we’re listening to the stories between last Sunday’s preaching text and the lesson for next Sunday. On Tuesday, we heard about Jesus calling his disciples in Luke 6:12-13. Today, we hear about some of the first teaching Jesus shares with them. 

And can you imagine hearing these words right after you’ve made the commitment to follow Jesus and go out into the world to share his teaching? Jesus goes on to say, “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you.” Could the disciples have had second thoughts? Did they think they would get power, fame, and notoriety for following Jesus?  

We know that the disciples were pretty average people called by Jesus in the midst of their daily work. We can’t know what their expectations were when they started following him. But we can know who they went out to teach and serve: average people, or still more, those who were the most hurt, forgotten, and in pain. Jesus needed them to know that God truly cares for those who society cares about least. Jesus began by teaching the disciples to live out this love.  

It’s not about what you get from your faithfulness. It’s about what others get. You have already received your blessings by simply following Jesus and loving others in his name.

Pray.

Humble me, God, so that I can see those who most need your love. Send me to their side and help me bless them with kindness, care, and dignity. Amen.

Carry On.

Learn more about one of Easter’s areas of outreach ministry. How might God call you to be a part of that work?

Calling Apostles

Stop.

Breathe in and say, “I follow you”. Breathe out and say, “I serve you”. Repeat five times.

Listen.

Now during those days [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles.

Luke 6:12-13

Reflect.

On Sunday, we heard the story of Jesus healing on the Sabbath in Luke 6:1-11. Next week, we’ll hear from Luke 7. However, there are some powerful teachings in between those two stories. Our devotions this week will focus on them. We’ve already heard about Jesus calling a few of his disciples in our Sunday texts. In this verse, Jesus completes the work of choosing his disciples. 

These short verses call us to notice two important things. First, notice how Jesus does the work of calling these people. He goes away on his own and spends time in intentional prayer. He doesn’t make the decision based just on who he likes best. He knows this requires introspection, meditation, and devotion to God’s will. Hard decisions take time, effort, and an openness to God’s guidance. 

Second, notice that he calls his disciples apostles. We often use the words interchangeably when talking about those who followed Jesus both during his life and after his ascension. But the two words vary slightly: a disciple listens and follows, while an apostle goes out to teach and serve. You can’t do the one without the other. 

May we always remember that we both follow Jesus and go out into the world in his name. Take the time in prayer and discernment that you need to do that faithfully and well.

Pray.

Show me your will, Lord. Teach me your wisdom, God. Send me in confidence, Spirit. Amen.

Carry On.

What’s one big decision facing you this week? Set aside time for prayer and listening so you can make that decision faithfully.

Going Together

This week we have been reflecting on the story of Jesus calling Simon, James and John in Luke 5:1-11.

We’ve learned that God shows up in ordinary places and makes them extraordinary.

We’ve learned that being confronted by God’s holiness puts our life into a proper perspective.

Today we have one more thing to learn: We aren’t called to go alone.

Read Luke 5:1-11 one more time.

The bulk of the story focuses on Simon. It would be easy to think that this is one man’s calling story.

Look closer.

How many boats were there on the shore? There were two. Commercial fishermen used two boats to fish. They would take large nets and span them between two boats and drag them through the water. They fished at night so the fish wouldn’t see the nets.

Maybe this was the original dragnet.

When Jesus told Simon to go back out into the water, Simon had to take others with him. He couldn’t do it alone. When the number of fish became so great Simon had to call even more people to help him bring in the catch.

Read verses 9-11 again. All of them who were there were amazed at what Jesus had just done. The large group included Simon, James and John, but there were others.

Jesus said to ALL of them, “from now on you will be catching people.”

Then verse 11 says, “When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him. ” Apparently they ALL left everything and followed Jesus.

Here’s something to ponder. Jesus did not do his mission all by himself. He called people to follow him and join him. He trained them and showed them what God’s Kingdom looks like on earth as it is in Heaven.

Later on in the story, Jesus sent his disciples ahead of him into all the villages. They always traveled in groups of two. They never went alone.

They. Never. Went. Alone.

Who are your traveling partners in mission today? This is one of the main reasons the church exists. We are not supposed to do the spiritual journey alone.

God is calling Easter Lutheran Church to carry on the work of Jesus Christ. The term “Easter Lutheran Church” does not refer to a building. It does not refer to non-profit 502c3 Corporation.

It is a group of people. It is you and me.

WE are called to carry on Jesus’ mission TOGETHER.

Gracious God, help us to remember that we are not alone. We have each other and you go with us to be your hands and feet in this world. Give us courage and wisdom to grow in faith and carry on your work today.

Responding to God’s Presence

Have you ever met someone really famous or important? How did you respond?

My first career was being a caricature artist. I would sit at amusement parks or at private parties and draw quick caricatures of people as a form of entertainment. People always gathered around and watched, so I could hear them talking when they forgot that I was listening.

I continued drawing at private parties after I became a pastor. This was a nice way to supplement my income. People would get drawn for free, because the host paid me a set fee for a certain time limit, so there was always a huge crowd gathered around me. People would eat and drink and chat while they watched me draw and waited for their turn. They drank and talked. I listened.

Eventually, someone would ask me this question, “Is drawing caricatures all you do for a living?”

If I was feeling fiesty, I’d reply, “Actually no, this is just a side gig. I’m a pastor.”

You could feel everyone freeze for a split second. It’s like the air was sucked out of the room. The tone of the conversations changed. People started apologizing to me for how they had been talking. They started telling me about the last time they went to church. Many people starting confessing things to me.

What changed?

When they thought they were in the presence of someone whom they vaguely considered “holy” they suddenly became self-conscious of their less-than-holiness.

Isn’t that interesting.

Read Luke 5:1-11.

On Tuesday we saw that Jesus showed up in Simon’s ordinary workplace and made it extraordinary. Notice how Simon responded. When he realized that he was in the presence of God, he said, “Get away LORD. I am a sinful man.”

Luke is doing something very intentional with this story. He is connecting it to other stories in the Hebrew Bible when people were called by God.

Moses saw the burning bush. He said, “I am not worthy. I’m not good enough. I can’t do it.”

Isaiah saw God seated on the throne above the Temple. He said, “Woe is me! I am undone. I am a man of unclean lips and come from a people of unclean lips.”

Then God transforms them.

God reminds them that they are loved, they are forgiven, and God has something very special for them to do.

On Tuesday I invited you to imagine your workplace as a holy place where God has a mission for you. How do you respond when you imagine God’s holiness?

Here’s the normal and healthy response:

1. Recognize that you do have junk in your life, and apart from God’s love you are undone. That’s a healthy cleansing.

2. Remember that you are a beloved child of God, warts and all, and that God has called you and will be with you.

3. Get up and go! We’ll talk about that on Saturday

Pray 

Gracious God, help us to see you today. Help us to see ourselves the way you see us. Give us courage to love you, love ourselves, and love our neighbors.

EXTRAordinary

Stop

Where do you see God?

Take a moment and think about times and places in your life when you have sensed the presence of God. Is it always in church? Chances are it isn’t. Perhaps you see God in nature when you take the time to contemplate the vastness of creation.

Do you ever sense God’s presence at work?

Listen

Read Luke 5:1-11.

Reflect

Notice where Jesus meets Simon. He’s on the shore. Simon, James and John are cleaning their nets after a long night of fishing.

This is their workplace. Simon is a commercial fisherman. He is on this beach everyday, cleaning his fishing nets. He’s tired. The nets stink like seaweed and fish guts. It’s not glamorous or sophisticated. It’s just another day at the office.

Then Jesus shows up.

Jesus is a teacher who has been gaining quite a reputation. In fact, he even recently healed Simon’s mother-in-law of a fever.

Then Jesus challenges Simon to go back out into the water and fish some more, even when Simon knows the fish aren’t there today.

When Simon follow’s Jesus’ instructions the fish show up in a way that Simon has never seen. There are so many fish that Simon and his partners can barely get back to shore before the boats sink from the weight.

Do you see what happened?

Jesus showed up in an ordinary place—Simon’s workplace—and made it extraordinary.

Imagine the place where you work right now. It is very familiar. Perhaps it seems dull.

Did you know that Jesus is already there? What would happen if you began to see your workplace as a mission field for the Kingdom of God. How might that change the way you feel about work?

God loves your co-workers and the people whom you serve through the work that you do. Your work is as much a part of God’s mission to bring healing and wholeness to all things as the work of a pastor or missionary.

Pray

Let us pray that God will take your ordinary things and make them extraordinary.

Amen.

Carry On

You work on holy ground, if you allow it to be that.

As you go to work today, let us pray that you will see Jesus there.

Jesus Teaches Healing

Stop.

Close your eyes and calm your mind. Picture God’s healing as powerful light. Envision it going to anyone who needs it – including you. Sit with this image for a minute.

Listen.

After leaving the synagogue [Jesus] entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them. – Luke 4:38-39

Reflect.

Between last week’s preaching text (Luke 4:14-30) and tomorrow’s text (Luke 5:1-11) there are a few stories that connect to our worship theme “Meeting Jesus. We’ve talked about Jesus’ authority in teaching and casting out demons. Today, we hear about his power for healing.

Jesus action in healing shouldn’t be a surprise to you. While this is the first story of physical healing we hear in Luke’s gospel, many believers are well-acquainted with the many stories of Jesus’ acts of healing. Typically, it’s the first and largest prayer request in any faith community: that Jesus would heal the sick and injured. 

That Jesus spent so much of his ministry healing tells us so much about God’s will for our lives. First, it reminds us that our physical bodies are beautifully and joyfully made. God desires wholeness for these amazing creations. Secondly, it shows that Jesus acts together with the Creator to bring that wholeness to all creation. Finally, Jesus’ power in healing makes real God’s promise to protect, defend, and save us in tangible ways.  

When we pray for healing, we give the work over to God. Whatever happens, we have confidence in our Savior’s desire to save us from suffering in this life and the next.

Pray.

God, you know my every hurt and ache. Heal me in Jesus’ name. Even more, heal all those whose suffering is known to you. Bring the wholeness that only you can provide.  Amen.

Carry On.

When you hear names prayed for during worship tomorrow, don’t let them pass you by. Focus in. Ask for God to truly give them what they need for wellness.

Jesus Teaches Demons

Stop.

Spend one minute writing down all the things that scare you or lead you into despair. Reflect on this list. In your simplest possible words, pray for God to release you from these things.

Listen.

But Jesus rebuked [the demon], saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. – Luke 4:35

Reflect.

Between Sunday’s preaching text (Luke 4:14-30) and next week’s text (Luke 5:1-11) there are a few stories that connect well to our worship theme “Meeting Jesus. Last time, we talked about Jesus’ teaching and authority. Today, we hear a more uncomfortable part of Jesus’ ministry: casting out demons. 

Many of us try to explain away demons in gospel stories. However, believers from a few hundred years ago, in much of global Christianity, or in some evangelical traditions still hold a very strong understanding of the forces of evil at work in the world and our need for Jesus’ power against them. Jesus’ authority over demons wasn’t a superstitious tale from a time long ago – it’s good news for us now. 

Ultimately, these stories of possession and exorcism show us that evil is real and Jesus has authority over it. Jesus comes to release all people from the power of sin and death in any form. Rather than trying to explain away a story like this one, Luke calls us to sit in the truth that we cannot free ourselves from these powers. With just a word from Jesus, all the forces that oppose God fall away.

Pray.

God, you sent Jesus to destroy the powers of sin, death, and the devil. May your Spirit also defeat all doubt, fear, and anxiety in my heart today. Free me to serve you in joy and peace. Amen.

Carry On.

This week, how can you take those things that most pull you from God and ask for Jesus to destroy them? What does Jesus need to rebuke in your life this week?

Jesus Teaches Nazareth

Stop.

Close your eyes and quiet your mind. Breathe in and say, “God’s authority”. Breathe out and say, “The Spirit’s action”. Repeat as many times as you need.

Listen.

He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. – Luke 4:31-32

Reflect.

Between Sunday’s preaching text (Luke 4:14-30) and next week’s text (Luke 5:1-11) there are a few brief stories of Jesus’ action in the world. As we continue with our worship theme “Meeting Jesus”, we learn more about who Jesus is and what Jesus does in these short texts. 

On Sunday, we heard the story of Jesus returning to Nazareth to teach; it ended with a crowd chasing him out of town. However, that story and this story have an important consistency: both recognize that Jesus teaches powerfully and well. The story earlier in the chapter says that he spoke gracious words that had everyone praising him, while this story names his authority in teaching. We hear that part of what makes Jesus who he is can be found in the strength and quality of his teaching. 

Jesus doesn’t teach so that we can be smarter or brag about how much better we know God. In faith, teaching and learning are not ends in themselves. Jesus does not teach to gain notoriety and respect. We don’t learn from him to claim supremacy or power. Jesus teaches so we can know God and God’s work in our lives. We learn so we can be connected to this call. Jesus teaching shows us what God is up to and how we can be a part of it – and that’s good news.

Pray.

Call me, God. Teach me, Savior. Guide me, Spirit. I will listen for you. Amen.

Carry On.

What’s one thing you’d like to learn more about in faith? Why? How can you make that happen?

Walk Humbly With God

Stop.

Go for a short walk – even just for five minutes around your house. Pay attention to the movement of your body. Be attentive to the goodness of God made known in the gift of your body.

Listen.

[God] has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8

Reflect.

This week, we will focus on this one verse from Micah in each devotion. We’ll look at one piece of God’s instructions each day. Today, we’ll look at God’s command to walk humbly with our Creator. 

Psalm 25 is a psalm of teaching, focusing on how we learn from God. Verses 8-9 say, “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.” It seems worth noting that God will teach both sinners and the humble, those who disobey God and those whose obedience to God keeps them close to God’s will. 

Too often, we’re proud about humility. We lift up humility as if by not taking pride in who God made us to be we’re somehow better than others. That’s a little hypocritical, right? So it can get difficult to consider what it might mean to walk humbly with our God. If we really are humble, do we even think we get to walk with God? 

But that’s the point in Psalm 25. God walks with sinners – that’s you and me, friends – so that we can learn what God needs of us. We can find our place next to our Creator. We can understand who we are and who we aren’t to God’s glory. Humility doesn’t mean denying ourselves. It means knowing where we stand in relationship to God and others. We’re not the center of the universe, God is – and to remember that, we need to walk close and quiet with the One who made us.

Pray.

Keep me close to your side, God. Lead me in love. Send me out in compassion. Amen.

Carry On.

What is one habit you can add to your week that will keep you walking closely with God?

Love Kindness

Stop.

As you breathe in, say “Filled with compassion”. As you breathe out, say “Sharing God’s love”. Repeat as many times as necessary.

Listen.

[God] has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8

Reflect.

This week, we will focus on this one verse from Micah in each devotion. We’ll look at one piece of God’s instructions each day. Today, we’ll look at God’s command to love kindness.

In Micah 6:8, the word the NRSV translates “kindness” is the Hebrew word hesed, which is frequently translated “mercy”, as in Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”.

Kindness here is more than just being nice to someone. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Being nice often means avoiding conflict for its own sake. Kindness or mercy can be offered in the midst of conflict. When we love kindness, as Micah demands, we love an honesty and openness to God’s will and the needs of others that make us compassionate and gracious. We live not out of our own self-interest but grounded in the joy that comes with true honesty and love.

When we love kindness, we don’t love it for its own sake. We don’t love it because we want to try to dodge hard times and tough conversations. We love kindness because, like mercy, it helps us see all people as God’s own beloved children, worthy of equity and honesty.

Pray.

Turn my heart, God. Make it like yours, filled with true kindness and mercy. Pull me from my selfishness and anxiety and make me into one who preaches your word and serves your people in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

Carry On.

Where do you need to be truly kind today? How will you leave niceness aside and instead claim mercy, love, and truth? 

Do Justice

Stop.

Clear your mind with a few deep breaths. Meditate on the word justice. Let it be the sole center of your thoughts for a few minutes.

Listen.

[God] has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8

Reflect.

This week, we will focus on this one verse from Micah in each devotion. We’ll look at one piece of God’s instructions each day. Today, we’ll look at God’s command to do justice. 

In Isaiah 1:16-17, God says “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” The prophets Micah and Isaiah both represent a long tradition of prophets demanding justice of God’s people. 

Isaiah elaborates on what Micah mentions. Justice isn’t fairness, equality, or sympathy. Justice goes beyond human ideas of what people deserve. Justice ensures that those who suffer most, who are easiest to forget, who live in greatest risk are always cared for. 

Isaiah says that justice is our work as followers of God. We are the ones who make ourselves clean in this respect – not that we forgive our own sins, but that we act to repair that which has been broken. God’s justice requires our fierce and compassionate action.

Pray.

I want to do your justice, God. Make me a powerful agent of your will. Show me those who need your love and make me bold to live in out in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Carry On.

In your acts of service this week, how can you reframe “just doing something good” into “doing justice to God’s glory”?

GOD Cares For You

Stop.

Stand up.  Stretch your arms to the sky, slowly breathe in and out.  Now slowly dive and stretch to your feet again slowly breathe in and out.  Last as you breathe in and out slowly stand up tall.  One more breath, slowly in and out.

Listen.  

Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 

Reflect.

I have written a devotion on this verse before (Nov 5, 2020 in case you want to read it), this week the verse was on repeat in my head.  So much happens in our world that gives me anxiety and I have no idea what to do.  I am a speck of sand, how can I make things better?  How can my voice be for the voiceless? How can I stand for those that are unable?  I often feel powerless to the in equalities I see and hear on the news.  I do not encounter injustices regularly, what would I do if I did?  “what if” is not a healthy way to live and is definitely a drag on my mental health.  What I do is cast my anxiety on God, even when there are no words, especially when I don’t know how to put words to what I feel. 

On Wednesday, January 6 I was skiing with my family, because my kids had finished their school assignments early.  We were having a lot of fun together, oblivious to the chaos and violence in Washington DC.  Like many I have news notifications and my phone started beeping.  When I looked and saw that people were invading the US Capitol building, shock and confusion.  Then my 9 year-old asking what it all meant.  Maybe in time we will know what it meant.  Wednesday all I knew to do was cast my anxiety on God.  On the chair-lift she echoed me in that verse, all the way up.  It helped me, I hope it helped her.  I will continue, as best as I can, to cast my anxiety and remember who cares for me. I hope you are able to do the same.

Pray.

Dear God, thank you for caring for us.  We pray that you help us find the words when we can’t.  That you help us be silent and listen.  We live in gratitude that you are willing and able to take all our anxiety. AMEN

Carry On.

As you go today, breathe in the caring of God.  When you breathe in, say: “God is for me”. When you breathe out, say: “God is with me”.

Love God, Love Others

Stop.

Stand up.  Stretch your arms to the sky, slowly breathe in and out.  Now slowly dive and stretch to your feet again slowly breathe in and out.  Last as you breathe in and out slowly stand up tall.  One more breath, slowly in and out.

Listen.  Mathew 22:37-40

37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Reflect.

I am an only child and I’ve always thought I should have a sibling.  I wanted someone to play with on those lonely afternoons when I was sooooo bored.  As an adult I understand why my parents only had me, but when I was a kid I did not get it.  I am lucky to have parents that love me and I really had no shortage of things I could play or create by myself. Most important they taught me to love with an open heart like Jesus. 

For many years, I thought Jesus was an only child!  Maybe because I was an only child or because Jesus’ siblings aren’t mentioned very much in the Bible.  It was fun to imagine that Jesus’ upbringing was like mine.  To imagine Mary, Joseph and Jesus, just the 3 of them together.  When He’s asked by the church leaders what the greatest commandment is (Matt 22:36), He knows they are trying to trick Him, He has learned from his devote parents and He has learned from His heavenly parent all the laws. Jesus speaks to them plainly in verses 37-40, summarized in 4 words Love God Love Others. 

I am grateful that it is so simple “Love God, Love Others” Humans make rules to protect one another, yet if you think about every rule doesn’t it simplify to just that greatest commandment? 

Pray.

Hey God, every day we need you.  We need your love to flow in and around us.  Help us to live out your greatest commandment to Love GOD and Love Others.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Carry On.

Do an extra thing today with love.  Pray for the person that cuts you off. Say thank you to a cashier. Check on someone that lives alone. 

JAM, Jesus and Me

Stop.

Take a few deep breaths, keep going until your mind feels calm.

Listen.

Suppose you can be trusted with something very little. Then you can also be trusted with something very large.

Luke 16:10a

Reflect.

I really miss JAM worship!  If you don’t know me, you might not know that for the last 3 years I have led JAM worship at the Lake for 1st -3rd graders.  As leader I got to walk kids through a kid sized worship.  The middle school band would play and sing, the kids would sing (watching those middle schoolers intently).  We would watch three short videos about the lesson and message of the month, one of videos a kid friendly look at the Bible story.  That video had the same introduction for many years and the kids would all say it with the narrator “…the Bible is a group of stories about how God loved us so much that He made a way to save us…”  What a cool message for those kids to repeat over and over again.  We would pray the Lord’s Prayer together and say the Bible verse of the month together.  I was always amazed that by mid-month those kids would have it memorized. 

This year JAM looks different, a pandemic will do that.  We meet on ZOOM, share highs and lows, watch 3 fun videos, do a group activity, and pray.  January 2021’s verse is above, go read it again, if you can read it aloud. I am lucky to be with a fun group of families.  I enjoy the excitement from the kids and adults in our crew, however it’s not the same.  I’m certainly not alone in missing the togetherness of JAM worship, or even adult worship.  Even if we can’t be in the same space we can be together. 

As we continue this journey in a pandemic together, let’s remember that we are TOGETHER.  Easter has so many ways to connect with others in your place and stage of life.  If you are missing the togetherness please look around easter.org or email easter@easter.org and get connected.

Pray.

Dear God, thank you for loving us so much that you made a way to rescue us.  Thank you for sending your Son Jesus Christ.  Be with us as we navigate our togetherness when we are apart. Amen

Carry On.

Head to easter.org or Easter on Facebook and find one new way to connect to the Easter community.

God’s Timing

Stop.

Close your eyes and envision the year to come. Breathe as you picture the year ahead. Envision God’s light shining on the year.

Listen.

The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. – Proverbs 16:9

Reflect.

January 1 dawns bright and new for many people, full of the possibilities of new ideas and renewed resolve. Maybe you were even one of those people feeling energized by a new exercise routine, devotion schedule, or reading plan.  

However, even our best-laid plans can come crashing down quickly. By day two, even the most hopeful and well-intentioned resolutions can already start to feel stale, demanding, or simply unobtainable. If this is you, don’t worry – you’re in good company.  

God sees you for who you are and loves you right where you’re at. Whatever resolutions you make or keep don’t make you a better person. God’s love for you today is the same as it was yesterday or last week or a month from now. God will continue to guide you no matter how many times you get distracted or disappointed. You can make plans, and sometimes they’ll even work, but God will go with you either way. 

Trust in God’s timing and guidance. Even if your New Year isn’t off to a great start, you can trust that God’s love will carry you. You don’t have to earn it. The gift of God’s love and strength will always be yours.

Pray.

God, sometimes I feel undeserving or not good enough. Take this shame and guilt from me. Remind me that you carry me through and make me worthy. Guide me in what I need to do to faithfully follow you. Amen.

Carry On.

You can make a resolution any time of year! What’s one thing you want to be able to do this year? How will you give that plan to God and work on it faithfully?

Renewal

Stop.

Breathe in and say, “Make me new”. Breathe out and say, “I return to you.” Repeat as many times as you need.

Listen.

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Reflect.

While New Year’s Eve parties won’t be a big feature of this year, this day still invites us to celebration. On this day, we look forward to a new year and the new opportunities it invites. That renewal is worth celebrating. 

For people of faith, our renewal each day comes from God. We receive that gift no matter the date or year on the calendar. But it can still be meaningful to take this day to reflect, pray, and consider: who does God call you to be in the year to come? How will you celebrate what God has done with your life in 2020 and what new things God will do in 2021? 

Ultimately, the Spirit invites you to participate in new things happening in your life. Maybe you don’t even know what that is yet. But that is the gift of this day. You get to set aside time to pray, consider, and plan the ways you will make a new thing happen in 2021. Now that’s something to celebrate!

Pray.

God, you make all things new. Renew my heart and mind as I follow you. Renew the world around me to be full of life. Renew your people to preach your gospel. Amen.

Carry On.

Can you make a resolution about your faith life? What’s one thing you want to integrate into your year? More prayer? Worship? Service? How will it renew your faith this year?

Strengthen Me

Stop.

Take out your calendar from the past year. Flip through it for a few minutes. Reflect on what your year has been like, good and bad. As you hold your calendar, breathe and say: my days belong to God.

Listen.

I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:12-13

Reflect.

Many of us have heard the end of the verse we just read, saying that we can do all things through the one who strengthens us. Too often, we skip the verse right before it. We can do all things through God – and we know that because we’ve had to do them all, good and bad, hard and fun, supported and alone. The only reason we know we can do all things through God’s strength is because we’ve indeed been through all things. 

As this year approaches its end, consider how God has been at work in your life. It can be easy to think only of the losses and compromises. Remember instead how you have gotten this far and God has continued to go with you. It’s not been easy – but easy was never the promise. The promise has always been that God goes with us in all circumstances.

Pray.

I praise you, God, for coming with me through this year. I rejoice in the good and grieve the bad, but in all things, I know you give me strength. Amen.

Carry On.

When you look at the hardest times of this year, can you still see God’s strength and love at work? What does that mean for the year ahead?