The gospel lesson for this past Sunday is from Saint Luke, 4:1-9. In this lesson we read, "Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’"
What do we worship? I believe where we spend most of our time, money, and other resources, says what we truly value or worship. Jesus was tempted to gain power over all of the world. He could have given up God's will for His life, so that He could gain ultimate earthly power.
As Jesus answer the devil, He is also telling us today, "Worship the Lord your God and serve only him." We live in a world where right and wrong, good and bad are not always easily definable. However, God's word is clear that our purpose is to worship and serve God. Yes, Christian ethics do not come prepackaged and our call is not an adherence to a list of rules, but we are to be faithful in our worship of God and God alone.
A Lenten Prayer
Dear God, forgive me for worshiping the wrong things. Move me to more faithfully worship You. I pray this and all things in the name of your Son, Christ our Savior. Amen.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Devotion for the Week of February 12, 2007
It happens at least once every day, but I am always surprised when it does - I get a peek into the amazing heart of God.
Why does this happen?
Because His mercies never come to an end.
Plus, they are new every morning.
I take great comfort knowing that when I wake up each day, God is there with a fresh, hot, steaming mug just filled from God’s overflowing supply of mercy. God is ready to bless me, forgive me, and strengthen me for another day.
Yesterday is over. It’s time to move into today. How will I handle it? Will I take a deep, refreshing drink from that cup and charge out to face the day? Or will I drag myself out of bed, rely on my own strength, and slog through yet another day?
Every New Year’s Day, many of us make resolutions for the new year. Here it is the middle of February and most, if not all, of those resolutions are broken. We are weighed down by their crumbled debris in an invisible sack we carry with us. We failed, again. Some of us may shrug our shoulders and say to ourselves, “Oh well, there is always next year.”
But, through the grace of God, every day can be a New Year’s Day. We can ask forgiveness for yesterday’s failings and pray for the strength to begin fresh. We can have the confidence that God is always there, not just ready, but eager and quick to forgive us. God longs to give us what we need. God wants to bless us.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Why does this happen?
Because His mercies never come to an end.
Plus, they are new every morning.
I take great comfort knowing that when I wake up each day, God is there with a fresh, hot, steaming mug just filled from God’s overflowing supply of mercy. God is ready to bless me, forgive me, and strengthen me for another day.
Yesterday is over. It’s time to move into today. How will I handle it? Will I take a deep, refreshing drink from that cup and charge out to face the day? Or will I drag myself out of bed, rely on my own strength, and slog through yet another day?
Every New Year’s Day, many of us make resolutions for the new year. Here it is the middle of February and most, if not all, of those resolutions are broken. We are weighed down by their crumbled debris in an invisible sack we carry with us. We failed, again. Some of us may shrug our shoulders and say to ourselves, “Oh well, there is always next year.”
But, through the grace of God, every day can be a New Year’s Day. We can ask forgiveness for yesterday’s failings and pray for the strength to begin fresh. We can have the confidence that God is always there, not just ready, but eager and quick to forgive us. God longs to give us what we need. God wants to bless us.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Monday, February 05, 2007
Devotion for the Week of February 5, 2007
It was the spring of 1947 and a new, young baseball player had shown up in Yankee stadium. He was a catcher; however, no one ever looked less like an athlete than this guy. Fans and sports writers wondered if the Yankee organization had lost its mind (see its not just the current front office).
He was a little strange looking - short, squat, rotund and clumsy. They made fun of the way he walked, and the way he looked with a catcher's mask on. He swung at bad pitches, had problems behind the plate, and his throwing was wild. He was criticized and laughed at, but he would not quit. He was determined to stay with it.
This young man worked hard to overcome his shortcomings as a catcher; he spent extra hours in the batting cage; he studied rival hitters, until he knew their every weakness, and eventually turned the table of public opinion. He won the respect of his teammates, and the admiration of the opposing teams. He was to become one of America's most loveable personalities.
When This man retired, he had played on fourteen pennant winning teams; he had hit 358 home runs, had made the all-star team numerous times, was voted the League's MOST VALUABLE PLAYER 3 times, and he had set 18 world series records. He had become so popular they named a cartoon after him.
Today you know him as Yogi Berra.
He had the determination! He ran the good race and fought the good fight.
May we also, as God's followers, fight the good fight.
Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called. (1 Timothy 6:12a)
He was a little strange looking - short, squat, rotund and clumsy. They made fun of the way he walked, and the way he looked with a catcher's mask on. He swung at bad pitches, had problems behind the plate, and his throwing was wild. He was criticized and laughed at, but he would not quit. He was determined to stay with it.
This young man worked hard to overcome his shortcomings as a catcher; he spent extra hours in the batting cage; he studied rival hitters, until he knew their every weakness, and eventually turned the table of public opinion. He won the respect of his teammates, and the admiration of the opposing teams. He was to become one of America's most loveable personalities.
When This man retired, he had played on fourteen pennant winning teams; he had hit 358 home runs, had made the all-star team numerous times, was voted the League's MOST VALUABLE PLAYER 3 times, and he had set 18 world series records. He had become so popular they named a cartoon after him.
Today you know him as Yogi Berra.
He had the determination! He ran the good race and fought the good fight.
May we also, as God's followers, fight the good fight.
Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called. (1 Timothy 6:12a)
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