Devotions

Sometimes we need a little encouragement to step outside of our comfort zone and try something new.

Within the body of Christ, there are a variety of gifts.

There is a clear distinction between the all-too-human heart and the steadfast love of God.

Trials in life are inevitable, but we don’t pass through them on our own.

This is a story that invites us to think about what our baptism means in our lives.

An important part of baptism is that it grafts the baptized into the body of Christ.

There is nothing to fear when it comes to God.

What are the names by which you are called?

While the wise men responded to the news of Jesus’ birth with joy, Herod responded with fear.

An important ministry for Paul was taking the gospel message to the Gentiles.

What is one small step you can take to remind someone how precious they are in God’s sight?

“Arise, shine” is a call to action.

Here, Mary reacts by pondering or treasuring in her heart what God says or does.

In what ways could you better clothe your words and actions in love?

On this Christmas Day, what creative offering of praise can you make?

Can you remember the first time you became aware of God’s presence in your life?

Join us for a service of lessons, carols, and light on Tuesday, December 24th at 5:00 p.m.

The wisdom of Elizabeth’s years allowed her to bring comfort and joy to Mary.

In what tangible ways do you seek to be a blessing to others in this season?

Mary’s song is a call to step back and look at the big picture of what God might be doing.

“The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”

Transformation often begins with actions.

For some, practicing joy is as natural as breathing, but for the rest of us, it takes a bit more work.

What, in your life, do you celebrate joyfully?

There are consequences for our actions, but through it all is God’s steadfast love.

In the first chapter of Luke, John’s and Jesus’ births are closely tied together.

Paul celebrates with joy the change and the growth he sees among the followers of Jesus at Philippi.

“The coming of God is truly not only glad tidings, but first of all frightening news for every one who has a conscience.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Here, Zechariah sings praise for what God has done and what God will do.

Rather than looking back nostalgically at the past or longingly at the future, how can we live appreciatively and attentively in the present?

What gifts does the church bring to you?

The hope found in this psalm is that our past sins do not define us.

Are there any hopeful signs of new life springing forth?

In this discourse between Pilate and Jesus, we have a contrast between earthly kingdoms and the kingdom the Jesus taught and lived.

What gives you hope that Jesus is doing something new in this world?

What are your hopes and dreams for the church in the coming years?

It seems natural to hope that the good we’ve done outweighs the bad.

Could it be that everything we are suffering through today is leading to something new that God is birthing?

“Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.”

This psalm is a call to praise.

Imagine wanting something so badly, you’re willing to give it back if only you can have it for a moment.

This reading has Jesus comparing two types of people.

Is there one that you seem to repeat over and over?

This is a celebration of family as it should be.

Think of the struggles your ancestors went through to secure the life you now enjoy.

What might we learn from this conversation about how to interact with someone we view as “other”?

By the shedding of Jesus’ blood, we are cleansed of the ‘dead works’ and freed to worship the living God.

A spiritual life is one of collaboration with God.

What a gift it is to have people who are willing to sit with us in our pain and celebrate with us in our joy.

Read Mark 10:46-52. Bartimaeus may have been blind, but in one important way, he could see better than the people… Read more: Blind Faith

When we don’t know what to pray, Jesus to intercedes on our behalf.

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

Read Job 42:1-6, 10-17. In the closing chapter of his story, Job shows great growth. Both before and during his… Read more: From Concept to Reality

True greatness comes in modeling our lives on the One who showed us what servant leadership looks like.

We all struggle with dealing gently when it comes to the wrongdoing of others.

Here, Job is reminded that God is God and Job is not.

When one part of creation is not healthy, it can throw off the whole balance.

No matter how good we think we are, there is always room to grow.

We don’t need to be afraid to confess our sin to God.

Where, in your life, are you suffering?

In this reading, Job has a case of the “if onlys”.

This is one of those passages we would rather avoid than think about.

Jesus is present when we worship God.

“Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and mind.”

Read Job 1:1-2:10. The story of Job challenges the idea that good things happen to good people and bad things… Read more: Why?

How does ego, pride, and insecurity figure into the kingdom of God?

In this reading, we find the hallmarks of a grace-filled community of faith: prayer, confession, healing, and restoration.

What signs help you to trust God’s promise of presence?

All of us are called to make small sacrifices for the well-being of the people around us.

The disciples’ inability to grasp Jesus’ teaching is almost comical.

It takes work and commitment to slow down long enough to consider the source and the motivation of what we say and do.

The scriptures are meant to be life-giving and nurturing.

Maybe it is because this woman takes time to rest in God and to recharge her spirit that she accomplishes so much.

“If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

How intentional are you about the words you choose to speak or write?

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Who have been the wise counsels in your life?

Jesus pushes people to claim their worthiness.

Good works are the outflow of our faith.

If it had not been for the Lord on your side, where would you be?

We all come from the same Creator and source of life.

Jesus insists it’s what’s inside that matters.

We, as a culture, have become bad at listening to each other.

When you pray for our local, national, and international leaders, for what do you ask?

Love and belonging is a universal need.

With which teachings of Jesus do you struggle?

This is an invitation to trust God to equip us for every task.

We all have times when our souls feel parched and sun-scorched.

Solomon knows that God will not be contained.

“I am the living bread.”

How wisely do we spend our time?

God’s praise endures forever!

What qualities in a leader do you respect?

When Jesus says, “I am the bread of life,” what does that mean to you?

Here, Paul advises kindness, tenderheartedness, forgiveness, and living a life of sacrificial love like Jesus did.

Often, sin feels like a dark hole, a pit, a void.

The story of David and his son Absalom paints a picture of family dysfunction at its worst.

There are times when what we want is not necessarily what we need.

The express purpose of the gifts each has been given is for building up a healthy, whole body rather than elevating one over another.

Before we can open ourselves before God, we must take an honest look at our own hearts.