Do You Need to Say AMEN?

>Are these Lenten devotions helping you grow in faith?

>Need to interact with others in this community centered around these daily devotions?

>Care to offer another insight on the daily scripture?

>Feel moved to other another prayer from the community?

>Or perhaps you just want to shout AMEN?

Remember that Christ said, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." Matthew 18: 20. And, so as we gather, regardless of location and time, He is among us.

So, while shouting Amen to your computer may not satisfy the need - you can always interact with this authentic body of Christ. Simply go to the Christ the King Lutheran Devotions web site and at the bottom of any the daily devotions click on the comments. While you are at the web site, bookmark (or add to My Favorites) the devotions page to return often. When a comment is added, you'll be able to see it by clicking of that same 'comments' at the bottom of each daily devotion.

Your thought, insights, and prayers will then be available for all members of the community to read and appreciate. Althought comments will be emailed to you, to leave a comment, you must go to the web site.

So...can I get an AMEN!

One Thing

Devotion by: Mitchell Kiffe

Matthew 5:43-48

‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers and sisters,* what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The basic message of this passage is to love your neighbors and your enemies. Jesus reminds us that we live in a world with both friends and foes. The sun shines on both, and the rain falls on both. God gives every person the ability to choose between good and evil, and we are instructed to be instruments of good, while we are here on earth.

While the passage is simple, living our lives in conformance with this principle is incredibly hard. I’m sure we’ve all suffered by placing our trust in people we thought were our friends, but who ultimately behaved like an “enemy.” It’s hard enough to love friends and neighbors, as we all have our human weaknesses and imperfections. Showing concern, empathy and love toward our adversaries and enemies may well be the most difficult thing Jesus commands us to do. It’s the “One Thing” that could make our community, country and world a much better place. We just need to follow this command.

Can we do this “One Thing” perfectly everyday? Of course not. But we must be mindful of this directive and try to follow it, day by day. Any progress that any of us makes in following this command puts a smile on God’s face and makes the world a better place to live. Let’s try to keep the One Thing front and center as we journey through Lent.

PRAYER: God of all humankind, please give us the gift of being appreciative of the world’s diverse people and cultures and beliefs. Give us the strength to love our friends and our foes. Help us to extend trust in a cynical world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He Is

Devotion by: Kari Lervick

John 7:40-53

When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, ‘This is really the prophet.’ Others said, ‘This is the Messiah.’ But some asked, ‘Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?’ So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, ‘Why did you not arrest him?’ The police answered, ‘Never has anyone spoken like this!’ Then the Pharisees replied, ‘Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.’ Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, ‘Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?’ They replied, ‘Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.’

When I first saw the title of this devotion, I thought about all of the words I’ve heard complete this statement over the years: “He is the Savior”, “He is the Son of God”, “He is the Messiah”, “He is the Lamb of God”, “He is the way, the truth, and the light”… The list seems endless. But the ending to the statement “He is …” caused a lot of contention and disagreement in the crowds that day. Some of the people were convinced he was a prophet. Some knew he was the Messiah. The temple police were unsure, but sensing something special about Jesus, they were afraid to arrest him.

My daughter received her first Bible last weekend. I used her new Bible to look up this passage and gather my insights about these verses and the theme. As I read through John 7:40-53, my eyes glanced over to the next page. The passage that mirrored those that I was reading was John 8:12 – “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’” It seemed appropriate that, after contemplating the angst caused by the ending to the statement “He is …”, there is a passage that clearly lays it out for us:
“I am …”.

PRAYER: Dear God, let us find clarity and strength in the words of your son, Jesus Christ, during our confusing and troubled times. Amen.

Our Rock and Refuge

Devotion by: Donna Kiffe

Matthew 7:7-12

‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.

When I agreed to write a devotional this year, I thumbed through the remaining verses and found a theme I liked: “When you are in great need of help, turn to the one who gives gladness.” I liked that theme. I came home, opened my Bible, and discovered that it was the exact verse I chose last year! At that time, though, I read it with a slightly different twist. I guess Matthew must really be speaking to me…I better listen!

Coincidentally, I just finished reading the morning paper (it is now 5 pm), and a quote caught my imagination. A woman named Anne Beiler (of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels fame) was talking about overcoming personal anguish, including the accidental death of a child and abuse by a trusted mentor. She discussed her great pain and willingness to give into it by taking her own life. Instead, she turned to God in a new way. Instead of asking why or raging about injustice, she stated: “My philosophy is: Life is hard, but God is good. Try not to confuse the two.” I liked that approach.

I don’t know anyone who has not suffered some heartache in this life. But in our darkest moments, we should turn to God…not to fix anything, but to comfort us and to allow the sun to shine on our souls again.

PRAYER: Dear Mighty Comforter, When we feel lost or are hurting and helpless, bring us to you. Open our hearts to you that we might be comforted and feel alive again. Amen.

In Our Midst

Devotion by: Patti Flowers Jacobina

Jonah 3:1-10

The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, saying, ‘Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.’ So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, ‘Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’ And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.

When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Then he had a proclamation made in Nineveh: ‘By the decree of the king and his nobles: No human being or animal, no herd or flock, shall taste anything. They shall not feed, nor shall they drink water. Human beings and animals shall be covered with sackcloth, and they shall cry mightily to God. All shall turn from their evil ways and from the violence that is in their hands. Who knows? God may relent and change his mind; he may turn from his fierce anger, so that we do not perish.’

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

So, I don’t know how many of you know where the book of Jonah is, but I didn’t … and I chose to find it at 12:30 AM on a Sunday morning, when I couldn’t sleep. Ahhh, thanks to the Biblical Table of Contents, I eventually found it between the better-known books of Obadiah and Micah!

The theme of this devotional is profound -- In Our Midst. As I paged through my family’s Bible, which was originally my father’s confirmation Bible, dated April 6th 1941, the various cards from funerals of those loved and gone fell from the pages … my grandmothers’ and grandfathers’, family friends and parents. In reading their memorials, I was reminded that they are certainly ‘In Our Midst’. After living a good life, and with belief in our Savior, they have gone on to receive God’s mercy and to be with Him. Truly, I believe that God saw their faith and good works, and they were acceptable to Him -- as were those of the people of Nineveh in the book of Jonah. They did not perish, yet received everlasting life. And so, I take comfort in this, that they are in our midst, and I smile at the memory of their lives well lived.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Please help us remember those who have touched our lives and to live daily knowing that we are touching others. Guide us so that we may live up to your intentions for us. Help us to know that you are in our midst, in everything we do. Amen.

As Sure As Rain

Devotion by: Greta Rymal

Isaiah 55:10-11

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

The poetry of Isaiah 55, verses 10 – 11, is sheer beauty to me: “As the rain and snow come down from heaven … watering the earth to make it bud and flourish…so it is that my Word goes out from my mouth. It will not return empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” God compares His Word to nourishing rain and snow -- what a stunning metaphor.

I’ve read a lot of God’s Word these last several months, and they have not returned empty, but have brought me hope, consolation and guidance. I’m not quite to “joy” yet, but it is promised in God’s Word, so I know it will be there for me in the future. His Living Word is more than a history book; it is the unfolding of God’s love and will for us in our earthly -- and ultimately heavenly -- lives. When I have spent time reading and opening myself to His teaching, I’ve been able to learn His will and follow His direction -- in small things and in large.

Recently, I have been studying He Said “Press”: Hearing God Through Grief. Its highlighted portions of God’s Word have comforted and challenged me and connected me with others in our family. I have also benefited from CTK’s gifted Bible study leaders who have led classes and small groups where His Word -- and His Will -- are revealed in group discussion. Both the private and group settings have their strengths – time to be alone with God, as well as time to learn and experience Him with others. I find I need and have benefited greatly from both.

PRAYER: Lord, let your Word rain down on me today, so that I will be nourished and your purpose will bear fruit in me. Amen.

Our Neighbors

Devotion by: Liz Spoto

Isaiah 50:4-9

The Lord GOD has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens—
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
The Lord GOD has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backwards.
I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.

The Lord GOD helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
It is the Lord GOD who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
All of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.

When I think about this passage of Isaiah, my memories go to my Mormor (that’s Swedish for Mother’s Mother.) She was an amazing woman, and we were very close. She was giving, loving, hard working; and, unfortunately, she lived a pretty tough life. Her first husband wasn’t a faithful man, and her second husband grew up in an orphanage, quite bitter at the world for the sorrows he had faced. Yet still she smiled and loved and helped others before she helped herself.

As I grew older, only one thing worried me about Mormor. I really didn’t know her beliefs about God. I knew that she was active in her church and that she went to church almost every Sunday. But I also knew that her church – interestingly enough – didn’t exactly focus on God or the Bible all that much. It was more of a comfort zone and a helping zone for people who wanted to reach out to others but perhaps believed a bit more in the works of people than in the saving power of God’s grace.

When Mormor had a stroke after I got married, I became even more concerned about her, so I asked her, point blank, about her beliefs. She said that, of course, she believed in a higher being who created our universe and guides our lives. But that was as far as she took it. She didn’t mention Jesus, and I didn’t press her on it. At the time, I was satisfied with her answer.

But as my understanding of the Bible grew, my nervousness set in again. What if this woman, who was so good and pure and wonderful, didn’t believe in our Savior? Unfortunately, I never got a chance to ask that question of her directly. Shortly after I was determined to talk to her, my sister called to say that Mormor was very close to the end of her life. I boarded a plane to head home that morning, but bad weather hit, and my plane was delayed. Crying at the airport, I begged the United Airlines crew to help me make my connection in Pittsburgh, so I could make it home to see my Mormor. They assured me that I would make it. It would be close, but they would hold my plane.

Well, I got to Pittsburgh, in time to see my connecting flight take off for my hometown. At that point, it was like a scene from the movies. I sank to the floor, wailing -- everyone must have thought I was nuts. Just then, on the intercom, I heard an announcement that the 11 a.m. chapel service was about to begin. What? A chapel at an airport? And a regular chapel service? I had never heard of such a thing. I dashed for the chapel and sat in the front row. Tears run down my cheeks as I think about the amazing peace that I felt as I sat, listening intently to the chaplain speak about God’s Word.

When I finally did land at the Jamestown airport, my sister was there with an enormous hug for me. She told me that Mormor had died while I was traveling – at 11 a.m. The exact time that I was sitting in the airport chapel, called there by a loudspeaker. God knew what I needed at the time. Instead of making my original connection and sitting on an airplane while Mormor died, He called me to His chapel and to His Word. And somehow, through that action, I felt like I had gotten my chance to speak with Mormor again. Somehow, God was telling me that everything was going to be all right. That she was safe with Him in heaven and that I would see her again one day.

I still wish I had been able to talk to my Mormor about Jesus, to let her know how much He means to me. But I will say that the experience changed me and has helped me to open up with others whom I love and others who are seeking God’s saving grace. I don’t feel awkward about sharing God’s Word now. And I certainly don’t miss a chance to share the good news with my own children everyday.

PRAYER: Dear God, Thank you for giving us peace in times of sorrow -- and for answering the questions that the world can’t answer for us. Please give us the knowledge and the courage to speak of You wisely and openly so that others may share in the magnificent grace that you offer.

Fallout

Devotion by: Kathy Zimmerman

Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’

Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

“I can sell the beat, I’m asking for the check, girl with crimson nails has Jesus ‘round her neck, swinging to the music….” Bono and U2 point out the struggle of our human lives in their song, Vertigo, as they sing about the dizzying effect of things that tempt us. In the same song, they sing of the magnificent love of God our Father. “I can feel your love teaching me…how to kneel.” They sing of the “vertigo” feeling that comes with having everything for the taking and the peace that comes with kneeling to our Lord.

Temptation is everywhere, and it has gotten the better of us all. Just a few hours ago, I had a second piece of cake after dinner when I had no business having a first piece. What about submission to temptation of greater consequence? Do we find ourselves lying, cheating, stealing to get through our day? Perhaps the temptation to take the path of least resistance, even if it involves sinful behavior, is just too overwhelming sometimes.

Who has faced more temptation than Jesus, after forty days of fasting in the desert? The devil came to him and challenged him to turn stone into bread, challenged him to throw himself from the highest point of the temple, and challenged him to turn away from his Father in exchange for command of all that he could see. Imagine how good it would feel to shut this Satan up, let alone receive the promised riches. Yet Jesus remained steadfast in his love of God. “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only” (Matthew 4:10).

When we succumb to temptation, the fallout is not far behind. Perhaps it is the unquenchable need to have more. Or perhaps it’s the guilt of knowing that we have not served God well. Whatever it is, it is never worth it. The debt for our weakness was paid by the One who stared down the greatest temptation, by the One who hung on the cross. To resist sinful temptation is to thank Him for that ultimate sacrifice He made for us.

PRAYER: Dear God, I pray that as I go through each minute of each day, I will feel the sacrifice made for me and I will have the strength to resist the temptation of sin’s fruit. I ask this in the name of your blessed son, Jesus Christ. Amen.