Devotion - February 8, 2012

Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

1 Corinthians 9:16

Play It

In the early 1900's, there was a man by the name of Fritz Kreisler. Fritz Kreisler was a superb violinist. On one particular day, however, he was facing a terrible disappointment. Some time before, he had discovered a violin that made exquisite sound. He dearly wanted to have it. But the violin was expensive, and so Fritz carefully saved up money to buy it.

Prayer: 

I confess, Lord Jesus, all the times I have allowed your gospel to remain silent in my life. Open my ears and heart to listen again and again to the sweet sound of your forgiveness. Amen.


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Devotion - February 8, 2012
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Devotion - February 7, 2012

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Who's In Control?

Sue was excited to visit New York City; it was her first time to experience the sights and sounds of the big city.  But on arrival, her expectation for an exciting time was threatened by the taxi ride to the hotel. The driver seemed determined to demonstrate his skill and daring in negotiating the traffic congestion.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, I don’t know not what this day may bring and tomorrow there are many more unknowns. But I know that you are my almighty, loving God.  Teach me to put my life under your control. Amen.


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Devotion - February 7, 2012
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Devotion - February 6, 2012

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”

Mark 1:35-38

Looking for Jesus

It seems curious Jesus would say, “Let us go somewhere else.” It seems even more curious when he says it to his disciples following their exclamation, “Everyone is looking for you!” While the disciples would have been content to stay in that area of Galilee, Jesus had a different plan. He came to proclaim the good news of forgiveness and eternal life to all.

Prayer: 

O dearest Jesus, give me the eyes of faith to see you as my Savior. Open my ears to hear your precious good news of life and peace. Purify my heart through your gift of forgiveness. Amen.


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Devotion - February 6, 2012
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Devotion - February 3, 2012

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. For this is what you asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the Lord our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.” The Lord said to me: “What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.

Deuteronomy 18:15-18

Listen to the Prophet

Prayer: 

Dearest Jesus, help me tune out the distractions of everyday life and truly listen to you.  I thank you for bringing good news of great joy for all people.  Help me to rejoice in you and speak your name wherever I have the opportunity. Amen.


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Devotion - February 3, 2012
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Devotion - February 2, 2012

“My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.”

Ezekiel 33:31

Worship that God calls GOOD

Surely it is GOOD to gather with others in church to hear the Word of God through our pastors whom God has called to serve us. It is also GOOD when we speak and sing the praises of God in his house of worship.

Listening to the Word and praising God is GOOD, but it can become displeasing to him.

Prayer: 

Gracious God, lead me to love your Word and gladly hear and learn it.  Help me to put your Word into practice with a heart filled with faith in Jesus. Amen.


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Devotion - February 2, 2012
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Devotion - February 1, 2012

There is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

1 Corinthians 8:6

TWO WAYS TO LIVE

In front of the RCA Building in New York City there stands a massive statue. It’s the statue of a man straining to carry the entire world on his shoulders. Put yourself in front of that statue for a moment. Look at it. Think about it. If you wish, you can live your life that way. You can focus on yourself. You can look to yourself for answers.

Prayer: 

Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for all the times I have tried to carry the world. Empower me by your Spirit to see that you have come to carry me. Amen.


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Devotion - February 1, 2012
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Devotion - January 31, 2012

We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16


It has been said that we begin dying the moment we are born. These bodies of ours are not what they would have been had sin not entered the world and along with it death.

Knowing this, we understand the importance of time. Once spent, it cannot be recovered. There isn't a time machine that will permit us to rewind our lives and live them over. The past is just that—it's passed!

Prayer: 

(Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 471):

Renew me, O eternal Light, and let my heart and soul be bright,
Illumined with the light of grace that issues from your holy face.

Create in me a new heart, Lord, that gladly I obey your Word.
Oh, let your will be my desire and with new life my soul inspire.


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Devotion - January 31, 2012
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Devotion - January 30, 2012

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Mark 1:21-28

Amazed 

What grabs the headlines? It’s what people say and do. The unbelievable play or record-breaking game grabs the headlines in a sports-crazed nation. The jolting, dramatic comments or all-embracing ideologies get top-billing as a governmental election draws near.

Jesus grabbed people’s attention with what he said and what he did. When Jesus taught, people were amazed.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, thank you for your powerful teaching. Forgive me for the times I’ve ignored it or failed to keep it. Give me the time and resolve to regularly read, learn, believe and do what you teach. Use your Word to strengthen my faith. Amen.


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Devotion - January 30, 2012
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Devotion - January 27, 2012

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Mark 1:16-18


Jesus saw Simon and Andrew as he walked along the Sea of Galilee. They were fishing, and he said to them, “Come, follow me.” It seems like a simple request. But then the question comes to mind, “Why?” What was it about these men that made Jesus choose them over all the other people along the Sea of Galilee?

Prayer: 

Dearest Jesus, I give thanks that you have called me to be your disciple. Give me the strength to follow you all the days of my life. Amen.


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Devotion - January 27, 2012
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Devotion - January 26, 2012

In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice.

Psalm 18:6

The Listener

There was a machine repairman who had an unusual knack for correctly diagnosing where the trouble was in faulty factory equipment. And he could fix it quickly. His co-workers noticed that he normally left the lunchroom 10 minutes early. One day someone followed him to see what he did before the others started working again.

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, thank you for always listening to the groans and troubles of my heart and life. Thank you for always being there to answer with your solution to all my problems— Jesus my Savior. In his name I pray. Amen.


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Devotion - January 26, 2012
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