Oh perfect Love! One of my favourite chapters in the Bible is Luke 19. Here we have the account of Zacchaeus, a man who as the NKJV Bible states, “sought to see who Jesus was”. Yet, because of his short stature, he was unable to see above the crowd. To alleviate his problem, he has an idea. Running ahead of the crowd he decides to climb up a sycamore tree – a good vantage point. …
Heavenly fruits When Grace sent me an email with the request to consider contributing devotions for Lutheran Women 2023, one the first things I did before giving my answer was to open my Bible and read the theme for the year – “Fruits of the Spirit”. And there they were in all their loveliness in Galatians chapter 5: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As I slowly read the verse, allowing …
Music is such an intrinsic part of Christmas and for celebrations of life. In this, the penultimate of Pam’s devotions for our magazine, she encourages you to ‘refresh your soul…’ with music during December.
Read her full devotion here …
We are all familiar with the sign that says: TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED!
It means that you need permission to be in the place where you are. It means don’t go there, stay out. There will be consequences for disobeying. Still, we mentally measure up the risk and decide whether it’s better to rely on forgiveness rather than get permission. Human nature is at work. Human nature is aligned with St Paul when he writes in Romans 7:14,15 (NLT) about the struggle we have with God’s Law which clearly points out our sinful nature. So, the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead I do what I hate…
Read Pam’s full devotion here …
“Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, Today is a gift. That’s why we call it, ‘the Present’ ”.
Interested to find the source of this quote I turned to Mr Google and discovered it is the title of a book of inspirational quotes for kids written by Eleanor Roosevelt.
A little more googling and I found a version by Bill Keane which I liked better to begin our devotion on the Fourth Petition. Bill was the creator of a series of cartoons called The Family Circus, you may already know his work and I intend to research him further.
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present”.
Read Pam’s full devotion about the fourth petition “Give us this day (today) our daily bread” …
Give us this day (today) our daily bread
Daily bread is everything we need to support this body and life.
As I write this devotion, there are people who are wondering: where is their daily bread, even where is their God? Floods have left all that they need to support this body and life piled up in muddy, mouldy heaps outside their homes. Homes are washed away or uninhabitable, businesses and livelihoods in ruins. Lives were taken. This is happening all along the east coast of Australia…
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
It began in the Garden of Eden. You know the story. The devil tested Eve and Adam and they disobeyed. Genesis 3, and following, describes the entry of sin into the world and God’s punishment for sin here on earth and in eternity. God’s will was disobeyed and people were separated from God.
God was not going to let the people of his creation go, for he is a God of love who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). As we journey through the Old Testament stories, we learn of God’s plan for all nations to be saved. He chose faithful men like Noah, Abraham, and Moses to save and lead his chosen people. Nothing worked.
Have you ever come across something which seemed very simple and clear only to find, as you continued, it became more intricate and complex? Think of an invitation, a job offer, a dress pattern, a recipe, knitting instructions, even a marriage proposal. They all start very simply, just a few words or a picture to get your focus. Then, WOW, as you proceed further, they open up in a whole new unexpected way.
The Second Petition of the Lord’s Prayer starts very simply as we pray just three words ‘Your Kingdom come’, and this request comes without our praying for it. Here in these words, we ask that it come to each of us.
The naming of a child is done with much thought. From conception, parents spend time discussing what their longed-for child will be called. They look for names to suit the child which are meaningful, remember cherished relatives or friends, fashionable, even unique in spelling – teachers love these.
God has many names which describe his characteristics and actions. To Abraham, he revealed himself as El Shaddai, God Almighty. Moses asked God what name he should use to affirm his authority to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. I am Jahweh – the Lord, God replied with a name he had not revealed to his covenant people before. God’s name is holy and he wants it kept that way. He has given us only two names which express his being.
Our Father in Heaven
Apparently, women enjoy spending time in conversation with each other. We have so many opportunities: a phone call, text, or email keep us in touch instantly. Sharing the joys and woes of life with a coffee lightens our day. A card or letter means someone has taken thought and time to share with us.
Prayer, in its simplest form, has been described as a conversation with God. Jesus’ disciples had watched him spending time in prayer, often alone. Perhaps they thought it was something special that had to be learnt. They asked Jesus, “Lord teach us to pray”. Jesus’ reply is recorded in Matthew 6:9–13 and Luke 11:2–4 and is described by Luther as the “most excellent of all prayers”.
Praise You in the Storm Psalm 34:1 (NLT) I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. It’s the start of a new year, and I don’t know about you, but I am finding myself praying for a better one than the year before. Last year was a difficult one for many. For me and my family it was one of lockdowns, isolation, and sometimes loneliness. There were times throughout …
Good News and Praise Luke 2:16–20 (NIV) So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and …