Daily Devotions
Devotions – January 22 – 28, 2012
By, Bob Knivila,Trinity, Trout Creek
and Cathy Sanborn, First, Ewen
Sunday, January 22
Jonah 3:1-5,10
Psalm 62:5-12
I Cor. 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20
I remember a song from my Bible camp days: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way. . .” An aspect of trust can be found in each of today’s readings. Jonah was directed by God to warn the people of Nineveh about their impending doom and destruction. Jonah trusted God, obeyed, prophesied, and the people of Nineveh repented. God responded to Noah’s trust and action with the results that the mind of God changed. Psalm 62 is a “Song of Trust I God Alone.” Paul tells the people of Corinth that Jesus’ impending return calls for them not to be concerned about various facets of life such as marriage, etc. We “moderns” shy away from Paul on that comment! But the bottom line again is TRUST”
Jesus, the man, begins his ministry in Galilee, away from Jerusalem where John had recently been beheaded, because Jesus trusted that this would be a better opportunity and probably more safe for the moment. Jesus begins by recruiting his first disciples; fisherman called to focus on a new catch: PEOPLE. Was it blind faith on their part to “drop everything” and walk away from their day job? Most likely they had heard about him or heard THE WORD spoken by Him, responded positively to his call and began new careers as his disciples.
Prayer: DEAR LORD, Lead us and guide us so that hearing Your Word and responding in trust and action we are able to continue our journey sharing with the stranger and the neighbor. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen
+++++++++++++
Pray for the spouses of our deceased pastors – Jane Magnuson and Valdora Otto.
Monday, January 23
“God is our refugee and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear” Psalm 46:1
As I write this, we are in the midst of the first storm of 2012---practically the first real storm of the winter for those of us in south Ontonagon County. How fitting is Psalm 46 -- A faith statement made very concrete in my current situation. Watching the swirling wind and snow through thermal pane windows knowing that I have no reason nor need to go out into the elements is comforting. Ensconced in a warm house and fleecy warm-ups surrounded by the comforts of home knowing that my “larder” is well stocked and confident in WE energy to not fail --Yah Sure! I really can relate to this the confidence of this Psalm! I can literally feel these words of confidence and praise. GOD HAS PROVIDED FOR MY PHYSICAL NEEDS. And more. Spiritually we can embrace today’s word and feel the comfort, believe with confidence, know the reality that God is our refuge and strength.
PRAYER: God of All Seasons, I am grateful for the blessings of comfort and safety, grounded in the knowing that You are my refuge and strength even in the midst of the swirling inclemencies of life. Thank You Oh Lord, as you hear our prayer. Amen.
+++++++++++++++
Pray for men’s ministries in our synod – that they may take root in prayer and Bible study and grow.
Tuesday, January 24
Psalm 46
Epiphany: The season of journeys, discovery, new learning and realizations. The Magi’s journey was of distance and time. They didn’t arrive at the manger for “Scene 5” in fancier bathrobes than the shepherds, carrying shiny objects, offering their adoration and joining in the combined rendition of “Joy to the World” while looking forward to the fancy sugar cookies and Kool-Aid. “The Original Cast” had studied the stars, pondered, speculated, followed the one which led them to THE ONE.
After the candles, and pageantry, returned gifts, and failed diets we Yoopers often journey through this season with the realities of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It now has a name! Don’t ya feel better now?!? All humor aside, the fact is that many struggle to find the “Refuge and Strength” that was bursting forth yesterday. Psalm provides us THE WORD in the midst of earth quakes, volcanoes, tidal waves, and international conflicts. We are called, directed to reach out, share the good news. But how, in the quiet lives of desperation encountered by many of our friends and neighbors? Verses 4-5 provide an opportunity in the context of contemplation, meditation, and prayer: “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved, God will help when the morning dawns.”
Therapists, counselors, spirituals guides utilize a technique call “guided imagery” to aid in relaxation and stress relief; also adaptable to Breath Prayers or prayer breathing. In this example let’s transplant that City of God into the green pastures and still waters of Psalm 23, already part of many people’s imagery. Enter that scene with closed eyes, gentle breathing, and open heart. Relax, let go, be in that place of no tension, conflicts, stresses, or fears. Experience the relaxation, renewal, refreshment in your mind, body and spirit.
And believe, and feel, and know, the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT as your strength and refuge in this prayer.
Lord in Your Mercy, Guide us forever. Amen
++++++++++++++++
Pray for Pastor Norm Peterson, his wife Mary, and the members of Immanuel, Rhinelander
Wednesday, January 25
Conversion of Paul
Acts 9: 1-22
Today we commemorate the Conversion of Saul. Talk about a journey! And greatly disrupted! Traveling to Damascus to track down and eliminate those subversive followers of The Way, Saul was zealous and confident that he would “bag some more of ‘em.” He encounters a light, literally a blinding light, A vision, a voice speaks and disrupts, brings transformation.
God’s work, Human hands. Ananias responds despite his fears and mistrust of Saul, the henchman, whose reputation had preceded him. Ananias makes his journey, fearful but faithful to the laying on of hands, sharing the Word and bringing healing. The journey of the Church’s first and greatest missionary begins!
Most of us have not experienced such a “cinematic” encounter with our Savior. Many have lived faithfully since being carried to the Font as infants. Many have diverged from the path, encounter “bumps” and hardships, disconnected from their roots or never had, rejected or never known a life of faith, never experienced an intervention in their life.
Today especially as we consider the life of Paul, his work and writings as the inspiration of God let’s continue our journey as faithful servants like Ananias; instruments of God’s Grace.
Prayer Transforming God, With the light of Your Word enable us to offer our hands and blessings to all whom we encounter on our journey. Amen
+++++++++++++++++++++
The Conversion of St. Paul – this day as the week of prayer for Christian unity ends, pray that as Paul heard Jesus call him to faithful service, all of us may hear that call too and respond to God’s call for love and care for each other.
Thursday, January 26
By, Cathy Sanborn
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
More than 24 years ago, Pam and her husband Bob were serving as missionaries to the Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in contaminated food or drink. She went into a coma and was treated with strong antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant. Doctors urged ...her to ...abort the baby for her own safety, telling her the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted. While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but still refused to consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband: If you will give us a son, we’ll name him Timothy and we’ll make him a preacher. Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy August 14, 1987. Pam’s youngest son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father’s ministry in the Philippines. He also plays football. Pam’s son is Tim Tebow. Although football is important to Tim, his priorities that precede football are faith, family, and academics. A verse from the Bible that he often quotes is Philippians 4:13, which credits the true source of his strength, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Tim loves football but knows that his career will end someday. His relationship with Jesus Christ, however, will never end. From the public biography of Tim Tebow.
Each of us has been given a special journey to tell. In my life, Christ was, is and will be available for me, and gives me the strength that I can use every day. Our stories all differ, but each of us through Christ has been given this strength.
Dear Lord, may everything I am and do be dedicated to you. You are my strength. Amen.
++++++++++++++++++++
Pray for Pastor Barb Girod and the members of Faith, Three Lakes WI as they celebrate 8 years of ministry together this day.
Friday, January 27
Lydia, Dorcas, and Phoebe, Witnesses to the Faith
Today we commemorate the faith and witness of significant figures in the early church: Lydia (Acts 16:11-15) Dorcas (Acts9: 36-42) Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2)
Lydia is a merchant of purple cloth, the valued textile in those days, most likely a person of wealth and influence. She is regarded as the first convert to Christianity in Europe when Paul preached to a group of women gathered by the river in Philippi, Macedonia. She and her household were baptized and she offered Paul and his partners shelter and support. In the Eastern Church she is “Equal to the Apostles.” Dorcas, a disciple and widow whose death brought Peter from nearby Lyyda to Joppa because of the distress of the other women who participated in acts of good will and charity(v.36) Peter is credited with raising her from death when he knelt and prayed over her. Phoebe, commended to the Romans by Paul as a deacon, leader, and benefactor, is honored as the deliverer of Paul’s letters to the Romans. She is regarded as exemplary in the role of women in the churches established by Paul.
I knew a woman named Dorcas when I served in the Peace Corps as a teacher trainer in the Marshall Islands. Her name, no doubt, was a result of the “Boston Missionary” work in the Pacific islands. It was a proud and happy moment when Dorcas and her fellow adult s completed their training as elementary teachers. Most of them would return to their “home island” to teach and be leaders influencing the next generation of Marshall Islanders as Christians and good citizens.
As we reflect on the WOMEN OF FAITH who have impacted our lives; Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts, Sunday School Teachers, Wives of pastors, neighbors, maybe a girlfriend, and thankfully as Pastors we express our thanks and praise for this multitude among the Priesthood of Believers and Saints in the Body of Christ!
Prayer: Lord in Your Mercy keep us always mindful and responsive in the witness and example set by the women of faith who have led us on our journeys. Lord, hear our prayer. Amen
++++++++++++++++++++++
Pray for those attending the Winter Wonderland Weekend at Fortune Lake Camp these next days.
Saturday, January 28
Matthew 8:28-9:1 (MSG)
The Madmen and the Pigs
28-31 They landed in the country of the Gadarenes and were met by two madmen, victims of demons, coming out of the cemetery. The men had terrorized the region for so long that no one considered it safe to walk down that stretch of road anymore. Seeing Jesus, the madmen screamed out, "What business do you have giving us a hard time? You're the Son of God! You weren't supposed to show up here yet!" Off in the distance a herd of pigs was browsing and rooting. The evil spirits begged Jesus, "If you kick us out of these men, let us live in the pigs."
32-34 Jesus said, "Go ahead, but get out of here!" Crazed, the pigs stampeded over a cliff into the sea and drowned. Scared to death, the swineherds bolted. They told everyone back in town what had happened to the madmen and the pigs. Those who heard about it were angry about the drowned pigs. A mob formed and demanded that Jesus get out and not come back.
This morning while folding papers for the recycling bag a headline popped out, “Young adults less devoted to faith.” Doesn’t surprise me! Been happening for years. (My mother said the downfall began in the “flapper era”!) People throughout the ages have pointed fingers; found fault. In the modern/postmodern world everyone wants answers, synthesis, analysis, understanding, meaning, relevance, TRUTH.
Sometime we just don’t “get it.” We walk away; toward the familiar.
I’ve been struggling with today’s Gospel lectionary lesson in Matthew 28. Jesus is asked to cast out the demons by the victims. Being requested to direct the demons into a herd of pigs leads to the swine’s headlong rush into the Sea of Galilee, panic among “the pig shepherds” excited reporting to the village leading to fear and anger with Jesus, and banishment. (We sha’n’t get lost in the whimsical puns of pigskin and rushing, excitement and anger during these superbowl days in avoidance of “our homework”).
Let’s approach the Living Word, Jesus, with the simple faith of children, much welcomed by Our Saviour.
Listen and hear The Story: Jesus, God here on earth comes into the picture, listens to the troubled situation, responds in a way that heals, brings change. But people aren’t always grateful, maybe because they don’t understand. They’re afraid. “Get out of here! We don’t like you!”
The kids get it. “OH, it’s a GOOD STORY” “I know Jesus better and he hears me and sometimes I don’t always know stuff and I might be afraid and he helps me. . . and I won’t ever chase him away!! WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS!
PRAYER Lord help me to trust without ceasing. Amen
+++++++++++++++
Pray for the members of St. Mark’s, Marquette and Interim Pastor Rell Spickerman as they continue in a pastoral vacancy.
Click here to download Daily Devotions in Adobe Acrobat format