Lent - Day Sixteen - To Whom Shall We Go?

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024

From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

John 6:66-69 NKJV

It is hard to understand the crowds of disciples who left Jesus after seeing his miracles, but this reveals how difficult his message can seem to sinners. At times, Jesus’ words might be hard to understand but, most often, we find them difficult simply because they are contrary to our expectations. They are contrary to the world, contrary to our sinful flesh, contrary to our will, and contrary to human reason.

Jesus has a reason for saying that the way to life is narrow and hard (Matthew 7:13-14). His teaching reveals our sins, our helplessness, and our need for someone else to intervene. Everything in our fallen human nature wants to prove our own worthiness or fix our own wrongs. Everything in the world expects every exchange to come at a cost, and expects God to work the same way, and by our standards.

“Do you want to leave me as well?” Faith only has one response: “Where would we go? What would become of us? You have the words of eternal life.” It wasn’t because the disciples had it all figured out. We don’t either. His ways are still, in many ways, a mystery and contrary to our expectations. However, led by the Spirit who works faith in us, our response is similar to the disciples. “Where would we go? No, Lord, there is no one else. You have life. We will sit at your feet. We will seek your counsel. We will hear your word. Though your way can be a mystery to us, you are the source of grace. We will not leave, but run to you, more eager and attentive to your words of eternal life.

Prayer: 

Holy Spirit, 

                 Strengthen and sustain my faith that each day my response may be, “Lord, you have the words of eternal life.” Amen.

Reading Further - John 6:60-71 NIV

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

Lent - Day Fifteen - Food for Eternal Life

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024

Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

John 6:32-33

In this chapter, we have seen provision and protection come from Jesus. He desires to give even more. Jesus calls us to hear his word, which promises life and salvation.

Sometimes I wonder if my interest in his promise of eternal life isn’t still, in some ways, wrapped up in my stomach being filled for today. It is as if my mind works it so that this promise of eternal life somehow relieves my worry about the provision I need not only today, but three days from now, three months from now, three years from now, even thirty years from now. If God desires to give me eternal life, then he will certainly take care of this, that, and the other thing. If Jesus wants to give me eternal life, then surely everything else in life will be taken care of until my life’s end.

It’s not that these things are not important. Clearly, God is concerned with our daily needs. But the bread that we eat feeds for a day. Jesus wants to give the bread that leads to eternal life. While we are often consumed by needs of the moment, Jesus also sees our souls that are starved because of sin. While we are often concerned with fears about our future, Jesus sees our malnourished spirits on the brink of death, ravenously desperate for his life-giving word. And so, he would not only feed us with bread, but with himself. He invites us to cling to him, feed on him, and be nourished by him, for he and he alone is the life-giving food. He gives salvation to body and soul. In his mercy and wisdom, he provides all that is needed. Great is his faithfulness!

Prayer:

Father,
           "Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!" Amen.

Refrain from the Hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, Thomas O Chisholm. Hope Publishing Co, 1923.

Further Reading - John 6:28-59

28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.

Lent - Day Fourteen - I Am; do not be afraid

 Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024 

19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 

John 6:19-20

While the previous section might serve as a reminder of God’s provision, here we are reminded of his protection. In biblical times, darkness, seas, and storms were viewed with fear for they presented real difficulties. People thought they represented evil, danger, or chaos. Here, all three are combined.

Earlier, Jesus perceived that the crowds wanted to make him king. Here, by walking on the water, in the midst of the storm and darkness, Jesus shows the disciples that he is the heavenly king over all of creation. As our Lord approaches the frightened disciples, He invokes the personal name of God (a detail lost in our English translations). “I Am; do not be afraid.”

When we face hardships, when life’s difficulties pile on, or when problems overwhelm, we often jump to questioning God’s presence. At times, our trust can be so fragile that our fears and worries cause us to lose faith in his protection and to doubt his care. Jesus speaks the same words to us as he did to those disciples, “I Am; do not be afraid.” He walked on water to reach the disciples. He hung on the cross to accomplish our salvation. He is with us with the same mercy and power that defeated sin and death. His invitation to us, in the midst of our fear, is to turn to him for protection against danger and deliverance from evil.

Prayer: 

Lord, 

         There are many evils in this world. Shine Your light in the midst of darkness. When I am fearful or overwhelmed, lead me by Your Word, which is a lamp to my feet, that I may always rest in the shelter of Your protection. Amen.

Reading Further: John 6:16-27

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.

25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”

Lent - Day Thirteen - Abundant Blessings: Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

 Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024 

Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.

John 6:10-11

Regardless of how many times we have heard the story of the feeding of the five thousand, there are always new lessons we can learn. Maybe the first is to be reminded that God is the giver of all good things, and that we can always trust that our Lord will provide.

We often forget how much we really have in life. (Which is odd when we consider that the average American ranks somewhere in the top 1-10% of accumulated wealth in the world.) We find ways to complain or feel discouraged, get caught up in only seeing the things we don’t have, or envying how much more others have. Having so much can easily lead to thankless hearts and little desire or need for God. Of course, for those who lack basic needs, life can be consumed with fear and worry for the next meal, clean water, safety, or health. This lack can create bitterness, a broken spirit, or lack of trust in God or his word.

Because of this, our Lord calls us to a better way. He teaches us to rely on him, trust him in every need, and learn to be content with what he daily provides. Christ would neither have us fret, nor be filled with greed (no matter how much or little we have), but rather trust in him to sustain us according to his pleasure. He would have us see that we are poor and possess nothing except what he gives, and desires that we would be generous toward the needs of others.

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, 

                Thank You for all the gifts You provide and for all those whose work or presence bring Your blessings to me. Since You have been abundantly generous to me, help me to be generous to the needs of others. Amen.

Reading Further - John 6:1-15

1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Lent - Day Twelve - Witnesses to the Truth

 Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024

But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me.
John 5:36-37a NKJV

John 5 clearly establishes who Jesus claimed to be... Claims always need to be evaluated for truth to hold any value, and truth needs evidence. One example is in the courtroom. Claims must be substantiated by evidence. Often the most powerful evidence is testimony that has been evaluated for its integrity and reliability.

This was also true during Jesus’ earthly ministry. For that reason, Jesus calls his witnesses to the stand: John the Baptist, God the Father, his own works, the Scriptures, and Moses. Jesus maintains that they all bear witness about him and confirm his own witness. Jesus points out that the naysayers are willing to receive others based on their self-testimony, but despite his list of witnesses, they reject him.

While faith is defined in Hebrews as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” this does not mean it is without evidence. Our belief is anchored in a great deal of evidence, including trustworthy testimony. These witnesses reveal God’s love in Christ to the entire world. By the Holy Spirit, this testimony bears fruit in us by producing faith.

Prayer: 

Father, 

           Thank You for the testimony You have given me about Your Son, Jesus Christ, through these many witnesses. Strengthen me to confess my faith without wavering that I may add my voice in giving witness to Christ, my Savior. Amen.

Reading Further - John 5:31-47

31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

Lent - Day Eleven - A Divine Claim

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024

For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants. In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.

John 5:21-23 NLT

Some people deny that Jesus ever claimed to be God. This isn’t anything new. Throughout history, even within Christ’s Church, controversy and false teachings have been addressed repeatedly. Passages like John 5 are sometimes misused to imply that, since Jesus and the Father are distinct persons, then Jesus must not be God. Yet examining the text refutes this. Just look at his critics. The Jews of Jesus’ day clearly understood that Jesus was claiming to be God. They prove this by their responses, persecution, and eventual execution of Jesus for blasphemy. Not believing Jesus’ claim to deity, they thought him worthy of death.

Jesus himself, and his followers, upheld his deity, even when denying it could have spared them from persecution and death. Either Jesus was God, or he was not. The implications of this are enormous. If Jesus is God, it means (as Jesus says in today’s passage) that he has full authority to carry out judgment, raise the dead, and ensure his promise that, “Whoever hears my word and believes… has eternal life.” This is a confident comfort for us, who by the Holy Spirit have heard and believe. It is also a calling to share the Gospel so that others may be moved from death to life.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, 

                  I thank You, that by Your gracious mercy I have been moved from death to life. Please send Your Holy Spirit to work in the life of those who do not yet believe in Christ, especially ___________________. Amen.

Reading Further - John 5:15-30

15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. 25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

Lent - Day Ten - Help of the Helpless

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024

The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going, another steps down before me.”

John 5:7

This story shows a stark contrast from the previous miracle account. Previously, the official came to Jesus. Here, Christ approaches the invalid at the pool. The official sought out Jesus because he had heard the reports. This invalid seemed to have no idea who Jesus was. The official persistently asked Jesus to grant healing. The invalid made no such request and seemed only to be focused on how he might be able to get into the pool. Yet in both, Christ demonstrates His power, authority, and loving kindness.

Jesus asked, “Do you want to be healed?” All the man could respond with is, “I have no one to put me in the pool.” More literally, “I don’t have a man.” Maybe most simply, “I have nobody.” And yet, Jesus was before him with the power to heal. No pool necessary. No truer depiction could be given for the plight of humanity, when faced with our sin and satan’s power in this world, than in this exchange. It is an idea summarized in the poetry of the hymn, A Mighty Fortress:

No strength of ours can match his (Satan’s) might. We would be lost, rejected.
But now a champion comes to fight, Whom God Himself elected.
You ask who this may be? The Lord of hosts is He,
Christ Jesus, mighty Lord, God’s only Son, adored,
He holds the field victorious.

Prayer: 

Father, 

           Thank You for sending Jesus to be the man; my Victor over sin and death. Help me never lose sight of the fact that, with victory already secured, He fights by my side. Amen.

Reading Further - John 5:1-14

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.”

Lent - Day Nine - Confident Prayer

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024

50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” 

John 4:50-53a

C.S. Lewis once wrote about how the devil plants “the haunting suspicion that the practice (of prayer) is absurd and can have no objective result…. If the thing he prays for doesn’t happen, then that is one more proof that petitionary prayers don’t work; if it does happen, he will, of course, be able to see some of the physical causes which led up to it, and therefore it would have happened anyway, and thus a granted prayer becomes just as good proof as a denied one that prayers are ineffective.” [C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters; Letter 27.]

With John’s account of the official’s son, we are shown something different. A man, whose child desperately needs healing, recognizes that he is powerless and turns to Christ. He has heard reports that Jesus can help and will grant mercy. When Jesus says, “Go; your son will live,” the man believes and goes on his way. 

This is faith: seeing that Christ is kind, the gracious savior of all men, and that He invites us to come to Him confidently. While satan plants all sorts of seeds of doubt, the Holy Spirit summons in us the courage to go to God, call upon Him in prayer, and believe His word.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, 

                   Thank You for Your invitation to pray confidently and without fear. Draw near to ___________________ who needs Your healing. If it is Your will [for their life], grant them healing. Amen.

Reading Further - John 4:43-54

43 After the two days he departed for Galilee. 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.

46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

Lent - Day Eight - Come and See for Yourself

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024

“Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 

John 4:29

Her shame and circumstances push her to draw water in the middle of the day where she can avoid the other women. This makes her physical task much more demanding. Then Jesus comes and breaks all the social rules of the day. As a Jew, he holds no hostility for this Samaritan. As a man, he demonstrates no denigrating attitude toward a woman. But most importantly, as God, he holds no condemnation for this sinner, who is condemned every day when she makes the lonely walk to the well. Instead, our Lord has a conversation forged from compassion, out of a desire to redeem and restore.

As he offers her water that quenches thirst forever, her mind raced to the possibility of never having to make that walk to the well again. Maybe she thought about how this water just might remove one thing from her life that underlined her shame. But what Jesus offers is intended to do so much more. Because of that, at the conclusion of their conversation, leaving her water jug behind in her great excitement, she goes to the village. She seems to be no longer burdened by shame and condemnation, as she points out to everyone who would hear her how Jesus told her of all that she had ever done. Replacing shame and condemnation, she is now compelled by a desire to invite everyone else, “Come and see for yourself.”

In the barren desert of sin and broken lives, our Lord quenches our thirst. “If you knew the gift of God, and who I am, you would ask for a drink, and I would give you living water.” This is the compassion, mercy, and grace of our Lord. We are invited to drink deeply. With our deepest thirst quenched, we, too, are compelled to invite others who thirst. Because of her words, others came to see Jesus and then asked him to stay. They heard his word. They believed. “We know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Prayer: 

Lord, 

       Forgive my sin and restore me in the joy of your salvation. Help me to be compelled by your compassion for those around me who need living water, so that I would be bold to say, “Come and see.” Amen.

Further Reading - John 4:1-42

1 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4 And he had to pass through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.

7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him.

31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”

39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Lent - Day Seven - Humility and Joy

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024

He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30

John the Baptist is an example of proper humility for all who follow Christ. John’s disciples seem to be envious over the fact that Jesus is now baptizing and everyone is going to Him (John 4:2 informs us that Jesus’ disciples were the ones doing the actual baptizing.). However, John has the proper perspective. He knows, and always knew, that it is not about him, but about Christ. This is exactly what he desired. Knowing that Jesus is the One sent by God, John rejoices that now people are going to Christ for baptism.

We live in a time that celebrates moving to the beat of our own drum, making sure that we are our own person, and that our voices are heard. Because of that, even though God has invited us to be a part of His ongoing mission in the world, we often get in the way of others being drawn to the voice of Christ. But John the Baptist sets a good example. He was sent to be “the voice calling in the wilderness” but is ready to set aside his own voice so that people would hear the One who has the words of eternal life. It seems simple to say, but we easily forget: It’s not about me, it’s about Jesus. When our words or actions cause people to look right past us because they see Christ and hear His words of reconciliation and redemption, we (like John the Baptist) can rejoice greatly and say, “My joy is complete.”

Prayer: 

Holy Spirit, 

                 Grant me true humility, that I may be a faithful witness to Christ. Amen.

Reading Further: John 3:22-36

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Lent - Day Six - Gospel In a Nutshell

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:16-17

Luther once said, “This Gospel (John 3:16-21) is one of the most magnificent passages to be found in the whole New Testament; and were it possible, worthy to be inscribed with golden letters into our hearts. Every Christian ought to learn this comforting text by heart and repeat it every day, so that the words might become second nature to us, and their meaning might become ever clearer. For they are the kind of words that can gladden a sorrowful heart and enliven a person who has lost all hope of life, if he would but accept them in faith.” *

It is the Gospel in a nutshell. God loved. God gave. God saved. Additionally, it is helpful for us to read it in the context of the full conversation with Nicodemus, where it is made clear how Christ applies His saving work to us individually. Through water and the Spirit, we are reborn; born from above. Through our baptism, we are made children of God. This echoes back to John 1:13 where we see that this is not done by any of the earthly ways families are made. We aren’t children by blood, marriage, legal adoption, or any other human decision. This is something far beyond this world. It is God’s work, accomplished through Christ, poured out on each of us with water accompanied by the Spirit.

Prayer: 

Holy Spirit, 

                  Impress these verses upon my heart, that the magnitude of Jesus’ words would continually resonate within me and I would receive peace and joy from them. Amen.

* From a sermon preached by Luther in 1534. The House Postils, Vol. 2; Eugene Klug, Baker Books 1996 p. 195.

Further Reading John 3:1-21

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Lent - Day Five - The Zeal of the Lord

 Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024

And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
John 2:16-17

This story does not present the “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild” popularized by a song lyric, or the Jesus we picture in our own desire for an “understanding” God (Although we often too readily welcome a whip-bearing Jesus for those who have angered, hurt, frustrated, or wronged us). Here, Jesus demonstrates that He has come with intense zeal—a driven passion to get His work done. In this, Jesus is like His Father who, throughout the Old Testament, refers to Himself as a jealous God; that is, One who guards and protects that which belongs to Him.

When exhibited by sinful humans, zeal and jealousy are most often warped into selfish and destructive behaviors. But in the hands of the sinless Son of God, we see something quite different. Here we see a zealous, eager and ardent pursuit of all that is good, righteous, holy, and just. He is moved by a love for God His Father, and desires the best for all of God’s creation. His holy jealousy is vigilant in guarding against anything that would stand in the way of His work or that would work in opposition to His kingdom.

When asked for a sign, how does Jesus respond? “Destroy this temple (his body) and I will raise it in three days.” The fullness of His zeal would be demonstrated through His anguish in a garden, a body beaten, hands and feet pierced by nails, blood spilled from His side, and then an empty tomb. How humbling it is to realize our Lord is zealous for you and me. Nothing was able to stop Him from redeeming us, lost and condemned though we were. By His work, He ensured that we would be His own and live under His care in his kingdom. Even with our ongoing sin and rebellion, in His zeal, He richly forgives our sin, daily raises us to new life, and continually preserves us in steadfast faith.

Prayer: 

Dear Lord, 

                 Thank you for redeeming me. By your ever-present help, keep me from all things hurtful and instead, lead me to all things beneficial to salvation. Amen.

Further Reading - John 2:12-25

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

Lent - Day Four - A Powerful Sign

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
John 2:5

John’s account of this miracle implies that, as we read on, there will be more “signs” to come. Notice how John is precise in his language: These are not just miraculous events but signs — events whose significance it is to point to Jesus’ identity and to show how he fulfills expectations associated with the prophets of old. So, what are we to make of this sign, which manifested his glory and resulted in his disciples’ belief in him? 

A wedding feast with a banquet and wine was a great celebration of God’s blessings and the joy and goodness of life. In addition, those who had been waiting in anticipation of the coming Messiah often depicted the culmination of God’s redemption as a grand feast overflowing with fine wine (Isaiah 25:6-9). In light of this, we can see that this sign points us to see Jesus as the fulfillment of all those long-awaited hopes and expectations. We begin to see that Jesus is, in fact, the very giver of life, which includes the joy and goodness of life. 

As we consider what this all means for us, could there be foreshadowing in Jesus’ words, “My time has not yet come” or possibly in John’s note that this celebration took place on the third day?

Prayer:

Father, 

            You have given me life and sustain me each day with your hand of mercy. Thank you. Help me to never lose sight of your tender care. Give me confidence to turn to you in all times of need knowing that because of Christ, I am yours. Amen.

Further Reading - John 2:1-11

1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

Lent - Day Three - God Honors the Lowly

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
John 1:45-46

Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathaniel. These names sound so common and familiar to our ears that we can easily overlook what is happening here. After all, these individuals are the reason such names have become some of the most popular given to children over the centuries. We look upon these men with admiration and high honor. But these names should remind us of the humble beginnings of our Lord’s kingdom. 

Jesus doesn’t go to Jerusalem to find the rich and the powerful in order to begin the work of his kingdom, even though by the world’s wisdom (and our own) that might make the most sense. No, He starts with the lowly. Why? Is there no room in his kingdom for the rich and the powerful? Of course there is. Did he have to scrape the bottom of the barrel in order to find people crazy enough to follow him? Certainly not. This was an intentional choice. 

The wisdom of the world says that we can tell if God’s favor falls on us if we have earthly blessings: an easy life, wealth, power, influence, health. But with these first disciples, Jesus makes it abundantly clear to everyone that no one acquires God’s favor because of their gifts. His kingdom comes to us completely by grace alone.

Prayer: 

Lord, thank you for graciously extending your kingdom to me. Grant me the strength to follow you each day and to testify to others that you are my Savior, and the Savior of the world. Amen.

#CUILent

Further Reading: John 1:35-51

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Lent - Day Two - The Lamb of God

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024

15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

John 1:15-18

“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Already in chapter one, we see Jesus’ specific task and purpose. In Exodus 12, the Israelites are told to kill a lamb and put its blood on the doorposts of their homes. God’s judgment of death would pass over those houses marked by the blood of the lamb. In addition, the events of that night would deliver the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt. This foreshadows Christ’s identity and work. The Lamb is put to death, his blood shed on our behalf, so death passes over us. Through this we are set free. How do we know this is for us? We have been marked in our baptism by the one who baptizes not just with water, but also with the Holy Spirit. Those ancient Israelites had no inherent right to salvation. All they had was the blood of the lamb. The same is true for us today. As we consider God’s historical intervention for the salvation of the world (including our own salvation), we begin to perceive what the Apostle John meant when he said, “From his fullness we have received grace upon grace.”

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ,
                             As the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, You have taken away my sin as well. Thank You for the gift of Your grace. Send Your Holy Spirit to speak Your Word of pardon and silence the accusations of my burdened conscience. Amen.

#CUILent

Further reading: John 1: 19-34
19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

RE: Valentine's Day

 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.

1st John 4:9-11 NLT

Valentine's Day is celebrated the world over, as a day set aside to express our love to each other. They tend to focus on the romantic love of couples, which can cause dismay for some, but certainly doesn't hurt the commercialization of the day. According to Statista.com, this year's planned Valentine's Day spending in the United States alone was expected to reach approximately 24 BILLION US dollars! That boggles the mind! "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways" laughing all the way to the bank...

I taught my children to celebrate the love of friendships and family. In doing so, no one is left out of love. It is what Jesus called us to do. Read it again, Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 

I hope you've had a happy Valentine's Day. 💗

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for loving us enough to send Your only Son to pay the price for our sins so we could be reconciled to You. Teach us to love others as You have loved us. Help us to walk in mercy and grace toward others and in Your true love. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Which Way to Turn

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psalm 34:1 NKJV

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt His name together.

I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear Him.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! Fear the Lord, you His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need. 

Psalm 34:1-9 NLT

Trust In God When you don't know which way to turn, turn to God. He will never fail you.

Prayer:

Father, 

           Forgive us when we try to do life on our own. Bring us quickly to Your Truth - it's only in Christ that we find the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Strip the scales from our eyes so we can see the plan of satan to separate us from Your plan. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Through the Bible in a Year
Reading for February 13th
Exodus 35:10-36:38
Matthew 27:32-66
Psalm 34:1-10
Proverbs 9:7-8

Wait and See

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.

Psalm 33:20-22 NLT

Relationships take time. Would you agree that while there are those with whom we adopt a 'wait and see' attitude, there are also those we know almost immediately will be a good relationship even though we may not yet have the proof - the value, quality, or truth of it that can only be judged based on direct experience with interaction - learned and earned when given the time. We hope that both will be good. Only time will tell.

However, our faith-based relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit should be different. Anything we know about our Triune God to begin with is based on His Word. God has given us all a measure of faith - are we using it to believe God is who He says He is? Have we chosen Him as our firm foundation? Are we using that faith to build the strength of our hope in Christ? Are we faithful to God?

As our understanding and knowledge of God deepen, we are strengthened to know He is a safe place. A sure place. We are confident that our hope is placed in the Right Place. We don't have to wait and see. We know.

Prayer:

 

Father,

          Thank You for Your faithfulness and for being trustworthy beyond the shadow of a doubt. Thank You for giving us the foundation of faith to know we are safe and secure in You. Let Your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in You alone. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Through the Bible in a Year

Reading for February 12th
Exodus 34:1-35:9
Matthew 27:15-31
Psalm 33:12-22
Proverbs 9:1-6

Sing for Joy

Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord; it is fitting for the pure to praise him.

Psalm 33:1 CEV

Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp. Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy. For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.

The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.

The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. Psalm 33:2-11

Prayer:

Father,

          How wonderful it is to be able to praise You in Your holiness - to gaze in awestruck wonder at the works of Your hands and the creative words of Your mouth! Give us clean hands and pure hearts so that we may offer You praise that is fitting for You to receive. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Through the Bible in a Year
Reading for February 10th
Exodus 32:1-33:23,
Matthew 26:69-27:14,
Psalm 33:1-11,
Proverbs 8:33-36

The Load

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude
Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Psalm 32:1-5 NLT

We were never meant to be beasts of burden. When we are honest with ourselves, we recognize the weight of sin and rebellion. It is so heavy. Heavy on our minds and hearts and weighs us down both physically and spiritually.

Carrying our sin and rebellion was never God's plan for our lives. According to Scripture, He chose our Way of salvation before the foundation of the world. Do you remember what it felt like when you came to Jesus and asked Him to forgive you? Do you remember the feeling of being released from that load? 

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

Prayer:

Father,

           There is no greater joy than true freedom that comes only through You and Your plan of salvation for all mankind. Thank You for taking the load off our backs and making us free indeed. Thank You for love so strong that we can never be separated from You. Help us to love as You love, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

I'm Free - Randle & Phelps

Through the Bible in a Year
Reading for February 10th
Exodus 30:11-31:18
Matthew 26:47-68
Psalm 32:1-11

Proverbs 8:27-32

Situations

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. 
Hebrews 5:7 NLT

When bad things happen in life, people often demand to know why and they tend to accuse God. Why would God allow this to happen? Why didn't God stop this? Why wasn't He there? Romans 8:35b reads, Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? Verse 38 emphatically declares No! Nothing can separate us from God's love. And yet, that's what we tend to believe. Or oftentimes, we think if we'd only known what was going to happen, that somehow we could have been prepared and it would be easier, or we could have found a different way around it. 

I find it interesting to note that in today's choice of Scripture, it says God heard Jesus's prayers when He was in the garden, praying to be rescued from death. Jesus KNEW what was coming. I find it even more interesting to know that God did NOT rescue Jesus from the situation. There was nothing lessened or made easier. Even though He prayed earnestly and fervently, Jesus was still scourged and beaten unrecognizable, and then crucified.

He would have liked to have had a way around it, but Jesus chose to be obedient (Nevertheless, Thy will be done), based solely on what the Father had told Him. Hebrews 5:8 reads, Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In Matthew 26:53-54, Jesus confirms His choice to obey, Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now? As the Son of God, Jesus could do whatever He wanted. As a man, He had to walk in obedience or we would have no hope for salvation. 

Verse 9 of today's passage reads, In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. Our source of eternal salvation, not situational salvation. Not based on the situations in our lives, but based on the foundational Truth of God's Word. Can we stand in obedience to God even in our situations?

Prayer:

Father, 

          Thank You for the Truth of Your Word. Help us to be as David, Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee... We choose to walk in obedience to You, regardless of the situations in our lives. Like the old song says, Father, "Lift me up above the shadows..." In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Through the Bible in a Year
Reading for February 9th
Exodus 29:1-30:10
Matthew 26:14-46
Psalm 31:19-24
Proverbs 8:14-26

Your Way YHWH

Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.   
John 14:6 NLT

Even the most novice of Christ-followers can quote this verse, but do we understand it completely? Most think it's only about finding salvation, but it's so much more than that! 

Think about some of the Names of God:

Jehovah Shalom - The Lord is peace
Jehovah Jireh - The Lord will provide
Jehovah Nissi - The Lord is my banner
Jehovah Rapha - The Lord my healer
Jehovah Sabbaoth - The Lord of Hosts - Commander of the Angel Armies!

And that's just to name a few.

Do you think God changes into each of these names individually on an as-needed basis? Or is He the God who never changes and the Great I AM?  According to Scripture, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. So if He doesn't change, then He is ALL of these (and more). Think about THAT for a moment!

So then, if God is all these things, we definitely want to get to Him. We NEED to get to Him. We need salvation. We need to be healed. We need provision. We need PEACE! When we get into His presence, do you think He has one place for peace, another place for healing, a different place for salvation? There's not one door marked 'healing', and one marked 'provision' or one marked 'peace' - at least, not by God. Do you know and understand that when we get into the presence of God, we have it all? 

So, how DO we get to Him? Jesus said, I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. No one can come to the Father except through me. [emphasis mine]  He's not one door for salvation and then playing tag for the rest of them. It is ALL available to us when we accept Christ as our Savior. When we spend time in His presence - whatever we require - we will find it ALL in Him.

Prayer:

Father,

          Open our eyes to see You and our hearts to know You in Your fullness. Help us to walk in YOUR way - the only way - in Your Truth and Your light as we live our lives before You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

Ups and Downs and The Great Equalizer

Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Psalm 30:4-5 NLT

Life has its ups and downs, but the good news is that whether in the highest or the lowest, according to God's Word, His presence is ever with us. Psalm 139:7-10, I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. 

No matter where you are at this moment, what you are doing, whether you have hope or no hope, God is with you. He loves you and will never leave you. 

I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health. You brought me up from the grave, O Lord.  You kept me from falling into the pit of death.

Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

When I was prosperous, I said, “Nothing can stop me now! Your favor, O Lord, made me as secure as a mountain." Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered.

I cried out to you, O Lord. I begged the Lord for mercy, saying, “What will you gain if I die, if I sink into the grave? Can my dust praise you? Can it tell of your faithfulness? Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me. Help me, O Lord.”

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! Psalm 30:1-12 NLT

Prayer:

Father,

        Help us to take our eyes off our circumstances and fix our gaze on You! You alone bring peace even in the storm. The difference is Your presence. Help us to dwell there. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Through the Bible in a Year

Reading for February 6
Exodus 23:14-25:40

Matthew 24:29-51

Psalm 30:1-12
Proverbs 7:24-27

Not a Suggestion

Do not speak evil of God, and do not curse a leader of your people.

Exodus 22:28 GNT

While we may never dream of speaking evil of God, I don't know anyone who has not said bad things about some political leader. Sadly, myself included.

In this - an election year - this verse is very clear... and scary. It strikes me to the heart with conviction. It doesn't say 'you shouldn't' as though you can choose either way (although the choice is yours); to the child of God, it says, 'Do NOT'...

Prayer:

Father,

           Forgive us our sin of cursing our leaders when in 1st Timothy 2:2 You clearly call us to pray for all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. Forgive us, O God. Put a guard over our mouths. Change our hearts to follow You purely, according to Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Through the Bible in a Year
Reading for February 5
Exodus 21:22-23:13
Matthew 24:1-28
Psalm 29:1-11
Proverbs 7:6-23