Looking For God?

Luke 24:1-12

Deb Cantrell

This narrative in the Bible has always been one of my favorites.  So much so, I wrote a play and included Mary Magdalene’s perspective as she travels to the tomb and her reaction when she and the other women arrive.  It is a compilation of all the Gospels.  Although, scripture does not include all the details, I did intensive research and determined what might have happened to Mary that day.  This is something akin to a Jewish midrash.  A midrash is a interpretation or commentary on a Biblical text exploring what might have happened in various Bible narratives.  

This would be my version of such writing.  The play is titled The Color of Touch.

Mary Magdalene as she recounts her experiences the morning after Jesus’ resurrection:

It was such a difficult time for me— for all of us.  When they took him down from the cross, it was nearing the Sabbath; so we had very little time to prepare Jesus for burial.  But, with the help of others, we lovingly and gently prepared him and wrapped his body and placed him in a tomb.  The men that were close by rolled the stone in front the opening.  There was a loud thud as the stone found a resting place.  The sound hit my chest with such force that I thought it would crush my heart.  It was so difficult to leave.  But the Sabbath was near and it was not safe for us to stay.  After the Sabbath, I went with some of the other women and returned to the place where we had left our precious Lord.  But the stone had been moved and when we looked inside, we saw two men dressed in brilliant white robes.  They said to me, "Woman, why are you weeping?"  I told them, “They have taken him away, and I don’t know where they’ve laid him.”  I turned around and saw a gardener standing there.  And he asked me why I was weeping and who was I looking for.  I said, “Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will care for him.”  Then he said, "Mary!"  There was something so familiar about his voice.  Then I knew!  It was Jesus!  I fell to my knees and wept with joy.  I reached out and touched his foot and, just above the straps of His sandals, I saw the marks left by the nail.  His skin was warm and I thought I felt the blood pulsing in his veins.  Then suddenly he pulled back and told me not to hold on to him, as he had not yet ascended to the Father. He told me to tell the disciples that he was ascending to His Father and your Father, to His God and your God.  I trusted in His words and I went and told them, “I have seen the Lord!  He’s not dead!  He lives!”

Indeed He Lives!!  We look to the Lenten season with joy and anticipation knowing that through the sacrifice of Christ and God’s grace, we can come to know the full glory of his un-ending love.


PRAYER: Lord, we have looked to the Lenten season with joy and anticipation knowing that through the sacrifice of Christ and God's grace, we can come to know the full glory of your unending love.

Never Betrayed

John 18:1 & 19:42

Kat Hanna

You know those times when you do something you think is a horrible thing? When you hurt your siblings or screw up something or mess up your brother’s room? Sometimes, when I do these things (sometimes accidentally, sometimes on purpose), I run up to my room. When my dad asks about who did this or who did that, I am the first to say, “I didn’t!”, even though sometimes I do. I deny everything. Peter denies Jesus, too. It’s like he’s denying a mistake. When I find out that it wasn’t really a horrible thing, or when my dad forgives me, it’s like being redeemed. When we fled and denied our God, he sent his Son to redeem us. He’s like our dad, forgiving us for something we have done.

PRAYER:  Dear God, thanks you for sacrificing your son to redeem us, and free us of our sin. Amen. 

Join In The Banquet

Matthew13:1-9

Kendall Raymond

I think that these verses are very profound. In his story, Jesus talks about seeds, but I believe that each seed was one person, and when we are sown, we are born. Some of us are born into a community or family that helps us grow in Christ, just like some seeds are sown on good soil. Yet others are born in places that work against Christ, and they are gobbled up by sin, just like some seeds are thrown on the path and eaten by birds. Some are born in places where they can try to learn about Christ, but since no one is supporting them, their interest withers away. These people fall on the rocks and thorns. This story rings out in truth. Now, many more people are being eaten by sin now than when Jesus was on the Earth because we have idols like i-Pods and computers, and we are putting those in front of the Lord.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Please help me not be eaten by sin. Help those who are born in places that teach them wrong. Let me not put idols before you. Amen

A Bitter Cup

Matthew 26:14-25

Tammy Fimger

When Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, it changed both Jesus’ life, as well as, mankind’s.  Jesus knew God, His Father, had set into motion His death and resurrection with Judas’s betrayal, fulfilling written prophesies.

The chief priest gave Judas twenty pieces of silver to betray Jesus and Judas looked for an opportunity.  During the Passover meal, Jesus said one of them would betray Him.  The disciples became very distressed and one after the other asked if it was them.  Jesus let Judas know he was the one and admonished him for being born. 

I have experienced betrayals.  They seem smaller and more insignificant when I compare them to Jesus’.  I struggled and suffered and gave them to God.  With His help, I found comfort and a way to forgive and to move forward. 

Our world is full of daily betrayals.  People lie, cheat, steal, and gossip and turn their backs on old friends; the Ten Commandments are not followed.  Bernie Madoff, Wall Street bankers, mortgage lenders, and politicians, as well as, earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis are all examples of recent betrayals of our trust.

We must trust in Jesus, forgive those who betray us and know He is there with us.

PRAYER:  Dear God, help us to put our trust in you knowing your son, Jesus, died for our sins and promises everlasting life with you.  Thank you for loving us!

Contrite Hearts

John 13:25-38

John Zmuda

This passage talks about Jesus’ warnings.  It shows how even though he gave people, his disciples, warnings, they still did not listen to him and ended up betraying him.  Peter ended up betraying him three times.  This resembles society now because even though we are given warnings, we choose to go against them and betray people.  It’s like lying or breaking a promise.  People say that they will do something for someone else, but yet they still manage to break that promise and not do anything.  Everyone knows how bad they feel when they are promised something but the person never fulfills that promise, I know I do.  I have also been on the side where I did not fulfill that promise, and let me tell you, when I think about it real hard, I regret it.  Just like Jesus promised to die for the forgiveness of our sins, we as a society need to look at that and fulfill the little but many promises we make in our lives. We must strive to not be like Peter, who did not fulfill his promise to Jesus, and betrayed him in the process.

PRAYER: Dear God, we ask that you guide us through the bumps and curves that life gives us, that we may fulfill the promises of life; big or small, few or many. We ask that you help us make good decisions for ourselves, and that we look at the warnings in life, so that we know where the dangers are and where to go on the path of righteousness. In your name we pray. Amen.  

Courage

Psalm 27

Steve Wilson

So much of the world around us can make us anxious or even fearful.   Fear of sickness, earth, financial loss, general insecurities, etc.   Fear and anxiety can become so encompassing that it affects how we approach the day and our zest for living.   Has it happened to us at different times?  Has it happened to family or friends?   The line always stuck with me in the movie Field of Dreams when the character played by Kevin Costner describes a vision of his Father “before he was beaten down by life”.   But is it life that beats you down or is it fear?   This Psalm reinforces that we can conquer fear by focusing on the Lord and his goodness and Christ’s glorious message of salvation.    Faith in the Lord makes Christians courageous optimists, whose outlook on life from verse 14 is to “be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

PRAYER :Lord, you are our stronghold and salvation.  We lose our way when we forget that and focus on other things….and we become fearful.  You give us strength to rejoice in each day and the courage and hope -- no matter what -- to take on the future.  

Palm Sunday

Philippians 2:6-11

Nick Hawkins 

To me, the purpose of the book of Philippians was to serve as an example of true humility to the people of Philippi. This is so they would not strive with one another, but instead look to the needs of one another (Philippians 2: 1-4). An example of this was when Adam tried to seize equality with God, but Christ did not consider seizing equality with God. Instead, Christ emptied himself to be like a servant, dedicating his life to God even to the point of death. For this reason, God exalted him. What we must do, is to show our loyalty and respect to God, and not try to gain equality from him. Christ Jesus acted as a servant even to the point of death to earn God’s respect. My Grandmother recently passed. She was a very kind woman who always gave of herself. As presented in this passage, she made herself the servant. She battled all her life with heart disease and was a heart transplant recipient. Even thought she was dying of cancer, she told her children to be tough and stay strong. She was always thinking of others. I’d like to think that she knew that God gives us hope in a new life.

PRAYER: “Dear God, we ask that you help us to become a servant like Jesus. Please help us so that one day we may live with you as you give us hope in a new life. Amen.”

Ultimate Sacrifice

John 11:45-56

Joni Holeman

These verses about the Pharisees’ plot to kill Jesus immediately follow His miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead.  Now Jerusalem’s priests knew they were up against a seriously powerful threat to their livelihood and political influence!  For seven years High Priest Caiaphas had been working with Pontius Pilate to control the rebellious Jewish population.  Many Jews resented this close relationship that Caiaphas maintained with the Roman authorities.  High Priests were suspected of taking bribes and using their office to practice other forms of corruption.

So it’s interesting to me that Caiaphas had been publicly prophesying that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation.  I don’t know when he started to make such pronouncements.  I wonder, had he been secretly reading the Psalms and other Messianic prophecies from Isaiah, Joel and Micah to determine if this Jesus was really sent from God?  Or was Caiaphas worried about the coming Passover festival--how to prevent any political trouble from the thousands of impressionable worshipers who might hear Jesus’ message of love, not law?  I hope he wasn’t trying to create a self-fulfilling prophecy just to keep his own power base intact.  “So from that day on they (Pharisees) plotted to take His life.” (v53, NIV).  By now, the odds were starting to stack against Jesus.

PRAYER: Dear Father, Son and Holy Spirit, If I had been living during Christ’s short life, I hope I would have been on the side of the disciples and not part of the mob who chose to save Barabbas.  In my lifetime I am so grateful that your sacrifice redeemed all my sins.  Let me keep learning your Word and discerning your purpose for me, so that someday I might hear you call me “Friend.”  Amen.

Definition

Jeremiah 20:10-13

Gail Bobizen

When selecting this passage, I was struck by two key phrases: Terror is all around and the Lord is with me.  As I approach retirement and moving to Missouri, I sense some small degree of what Jeremiah felt.  There are a lot of unknowns in my future.  I'm moving to a small town where I know no one except the former owners of the property.  My brother is 40 miles away.  Uncertainty is all around.  I visited the Lutheran Church I will attend in a town 15 miles away.  It was not the positive experience I so wanted and expected, especially when compared to my wonderful experience here at Christ the King.  God, why did you lead me to Maysville? 

I tried to purchase a property closer to my brother, but the owners changed their mind about selling the home and a few acres.  If this had worked out, I would have been able to worship in the same church as my brother and sister-in-law (there was one problem with that though, they sit on the wrong side of the church).  I prayed for God to lead me where He could use me.  When I made an offer on the Maysville property, I prayed that if this was where God wanted me, that an agreement would be reached.  If not I prayed that God would lead me according to His will.  An offer was accepted.  God, why did you lead me to Maysville?

Amid the doubt and uncertainty, like Jeremiah, I know the Lord is with me.  I don't know why God has lead me to Maysville, but I trust that His plan for me will be revealed according to His time schedule.  We don't need to be besieged by enemies like Jeremiah to feel surrounded by troubles, illness, or fears.  We cannot escape the evils of this world, but Jeremiah also tells us in verse 12, "O Lord of hosts, you test the righteous, you see the heart and the mind."  Let us keep our heart and mind focused on the Lord, trust in Him, and willingly accept His guidance in our life so we like Jeremiah may, "Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord!  For He has delivered the life of the needy."

PRAYER: Heavenly Father,Thank you for Your constant presence in our lives.  When the cares of this world surround us, help us place our trust in You knowing that You will not forsake us.  Your love for us reaches out from the cross.  Let this message be present in our hearts not only during this Lenten season, but always.  This we pray in the name of our risen Lord, Jesus the Christ.   Amen

A Blessed Name

Genesis 17:3-9

Andrew Miner

What makes up a name? It could be the meaning, characteristic of the person, or even its place in history.  In Genesis 17: 3-9 God changes Abram’s name to Abraham and makes him  king of all nations.  God promises that Abraham will rule the land of Canaan and have many descendants.  I believe Abraham then lives his life as God has asked.  A modern day example of this would be of the recently graduated Florida quarterback, Tim Tebow.  An openly devote Christian athlete -- by marking bible verses on his eye black -- Tebow quickly became the king of the college football world.  His name symbolizes passion, enthusiasm, and love, not only for the game but also for humanity.  His kingdom is “the Swamp” and his descendants are his teammates and future players that will continue the rule of “the swamp.”  A name can bring out the best and the worst behavior in society.  Abraham’s connotation is that he was a holy friend of God with “as many children as there were stars”.  People rarely look to uncover the true promise that Abraham made with God which is to remain faithful to God.  Tebow’s name conjures up victorious imagery but some people choose to debase him with allegations that he’s too perfect.  Jesus was crucified because he was too perfect.  A name not only symbolizes a promise or a certain image but can also drive evil spirits into enemies’ hearts.  We must remember, as we talk about great persons, their true identity is what he or she thinks of them self.  With individuality of a name comes the potential need to overcome adversity from critics.  Jesus rose from the dead, Abraham was the ruler of Canaan and Tebow won two titles and a Heisman.

Prayer:  Dear God, let us recall every day what our name means to us and to others, as well as not to judge others by their names nor alienate them.  Amen.  

Cheer

John 8:31-42

Liz Spoto

It may seem simple, but not much can please me more than when my kids do what I ask, the first time I ask it.  Or when I see them make good choices based on things we’ve spoken about in the past.  I see that trust in their eyes. They trust that I’ve asked for a good reason; they trust that my advice or my living example to them is on the right course.  And that trust and obedience fills me up with such joy that I’m sometimes overwhelmed.  Now I won’t delude anyone into thinking that this is always the state of affairs in the Spoto household.  But when it is, boy does our family click.  Mark and I are happier.  That happiness shines down to the kids.  And everyone is in a better place. 

I have to imagine that this is what John talks about in Chapter 8: 31-42.  If our lives flow so smoothly, and such happiness results when our kids obey us, how much better our lives can be when we obey our Heavenly Father.  How great the rewards when we follow His Word and live to please Him….especially if we do it the first time He asks.

PRAYER:  Dear God, Please help us to obey your good and perfect will for us so that our lives may be filled with the happiness you intend for us.

Declaring to All

John 8:21-30

Sam Siebert

Earlier In chapter 8 of the book of John, Jesus explains how he is the light of the world.  The setting is in the Temple in Jerusalem during the feast of Tabernacles, a cerimony during which great golden lamps were lit.  The Pharisees skeptically question Jesus, based on the tennants of Jewish law.  It is in response to this questioning that Jesus explains that no amount of piety without faith in the son of God will save them from death.  It should not be lost that, in verse 30, John points out that "As he [Jesus] spoke, many believed him".  It is not lost on me that Jesus says in verse 21 that the Pharisees, those Jews most versed in religeous law, will seek Christ but fail to find faith and die, while these others came to believe and were saved.  These nine verses are a suscinct reminder that faith, the most difficult of Christian behaviors to master, not deeds, secures our salvation.

Prayer:  Dear God, strengthen and sustain my faith this day by helping me see your good works each day.  Help me open my heart to the Holy Spirit and allow me to serve you by serving others with grace and compassion.

The Word of God

Psalm 23

Julie Benson

I asked Liz Spoto for the March 22^nd devotion as it is my birthday.  When I saw that the subject was Psalm 23, I just smiled.  I know that one by heart.  So often I recite that in the dark of night and it brings me peace and calm and a great confidence in our God.  God so clearly tell us again and again “be not afraid.  I am with you”.  I can picture God sitting over on our loveseat in our bedroom just watching us sleep and protecting us.  It is such a comforting picture and it has reassured me many times.  When friends have become very, very sick ~ naturally we feel afraid for them and scared for our health also.  God is so caring and kind to keep telling us how not to be afraid for He walks with us no matter what happens.  He will be with us in sickness, in misery, in misfortune, in sadness/depression and in ALL situations.  He is our Shepherd and we are His sheep and we need to “lie down in green pastures” and know that all is well because He alone is in TOTAL CONTROL.  So the next time you are fearful or troubled with a problem ~ stop telling God how big your problems are and tell your problems how big your God is!  It works every time!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Thank you for your loving comfort, thank you for consoling us with all the challenges we face in this life.  Thank you that we can rest in you and know with great confidence that you will protect us, bless us and comfort us if only we will put our trust in You.  Thank you for your Word where we can go daily to be reassured and reminded of just how much you love us. Amen!

Repent

John 8:1-11

Lynne Roots

 “Repent” is a strong word.  There is such a sense of foreboding about it.  To soften it somewhat, Mr. Webster includes “contrite” in his several definitions of “repent” but, ”to feel so contrite over one’s sins as to change, or decide to change ones ways” is my favorite. 

The Bible reading for this devotional, John 8:1-11, shows the perfect contrast between the Old and New Testaments.  In the Old, the woman brought before Jesus for adultery would have been stoned….in the New, Jesus turns the situation around and puts the burden of the woman’s guilt on the Pharisees…”If any one of you is without sin, let him cast the first stone”.  And then, He tells the woman that He doesn’t condemn her either but that she is to “leave (her) life of sin”.  That is so Jesus…forcing us, through love, to look at ourselves. 

As much as we don’t like to admit it, we all have dirty laundry…just how dirty depends on your perspective.  What to one may be a major sin, to another may not be so.  But sin is sin, regardless of how big or small.  It doesn’t seem quite fair that all sin be lumped together….how can skirting the truth about a friend’s new outfit be compared to murder?  No, it may not be fair in our eyes, but the good news is that Jesus loves us no matter the scope of our sin.  So a person who has killed is as forgivable as one who told a little white lie.  The other piece of good news is that we don’t necessarily have to confess our sin to the world or anyone else for that matter as long as we recognize it and decide to do something about it.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to understand we are forgiven.

Viewpoint

John 7:40-53

Pete Hilgartner

There are two parts to contemplate in this reading from John.

Division among the People

 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.

The Unbelief of Those in Authority

 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.’ 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Please give me the patience and wisdom to be constructive in my prayers for this Church and my fellow members when the time comes to decide on a new pastor.

Our Shield

John 7:1-2,10,25-30

Garrett Durig

Whether his presence is felt or not, God is always with us and by our side. He looks after us, guides us, and protects us in times of need. It is our duty as followers of God to walk the path intended for us and do what is righteous and good. God is always in control and will always protect us as we go into the world to spread his word and help others. God’s protection is something that all people can rejoice in. Knowing that we will be safe while doing God’s will is very important as it can give us the strength and determination to do what is right, even in the face of hardship. While the tasks God assigns each of us may vary, one thing remains the same: that God will be with us till the end, helping us in everything we do.

Prayer: Dear God, we give thanks that you protect us from harm as we attempt to do what is good and right. Help us to use this knowledge to strengthen our resolve to do your will as we go about the world. Amen.  

Local Witnesses

John 5:31-47

Prue Weich

In this passage, Jesus provides further proof of his mission as the son of God and to save the Jews.  Even though his words were directed to the Jews and their leaders, they could be directed to all Christians.   To me it means I need to demonstrate the love I have for God in my heart through my belief in Jesus as his son who was sent to save us and show us how to live as God wants us to live.  

One of the ways we can show our love for God is by treating others with respect and love as Jesus taught us.  I think I have made progress with this challenge, but still have much more work to do, including volunteering to help those in need.   Another way is by reading and studying the Bible and praying.  During Lent, the devotional will help us study, but I am going to strive to spend more time talking to God throughout the day. 

PRAYER: Thank you God for the love you have shown us through Jesus your son.  Help me to be a good Christian and to follow your word.  Be with me through this time of preparation and remembrance of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the everlasting life that it has brought us.   Help me to better understand and carry out my responsibilities to others as a true follower of Christ.

Salvation Appearing

John 5:17-30

Paul Opshal

People have always wanted to know: What is God like?  I think the best answer to that is:  If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus.  Today’s verses show us a miracle-working Jesus healing a man who had been ill for 38 long years.  Problem was, Jesus did a politically incorrect thing.  He healed on the Sabbath, and the law said you weren’t supposed to work that day.  Some people, instead of being glad the man could finally walk again, got mad.

I think one thing God wants is for healing to take place even when there are those who think something else is more important.  Whenever the ordinary of our lives is flavored with God’s love, whenever hope comes alive, it’s a miracle.  With that definition, can you think of something that’s taken place in your own life recently that could be called a miracle?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, help us to see Jesus at work in our lives.  Amen.

Unity

Ezekial 47:1-9,12

Ross Rossbach

Ezekiel tells us the story of “great waters” flowing out from below the temple that becomes deep and wide to the sea “bringing fresh water where before it had been stagnant.”  Wherever the river goes it will become fresh and everything will live abundantly where the river goes…fruit for food and leaves for healing.”

I believe Ezekiel, with this story, is predicting the love of God, as shown by the future Jesus, as bringing a unique benefit to all of humankind…to be shared by all who will take part in it.  A supreme gift to God’s people, indeed all people who accept him and the gift of the “water”.

PRAYER:  May we all come together in unity someday, swimming together in the abundant waters of life freely given to us by our God.  Amen.

Story Time

Psalm 30

Mark Spoto

Psalm 30 expresses that joy is not something that is created by “things” here on earth, but is rather a gift from God that we receive when we follow His will for us.  It is easy, when things are going well, to feel like you are on top of the world.  David says “When I felt secure, I said ‘I will never be shaken.’”  When things are going well at work, or you are able to surround yourself with things like a nice house or nice cars, or take vacations to exotic places, it is easy to feel proud, secure in ourselves, sometimes even independent of God.  We have to remember that we don’t create our own joy; God gives us joy, and has the ability to take that joy away when we stray from His path.

One thing that pleases God deeply is when we focus on the love and joy of family, when we share God’s love with our family, and when we emulate His ways to our children.  When we focus on these pure, simple things, God is pleased and blesses our lives with true joy.

The best times that Liz and I have enjoyed with our children have been weekends away, just the four of us.  We head up to a quiet area in western Maryland, where the hustle and bustle doesn’t exist.  We don’t make plans.  We spend the time talking, playing games, reading, making and eating food, or watching a movie.  We often don’t leave the house for 48 hours.  It is a time for us to disengage from all of the distractions, focus on each other, and strengthen our connections.  This is an opportunity for Liz and me to have some meaningful discussions (and some light ones too) with our kids, as well as with each other.  We usually only have time to do this once a year, but we really prioritize this and always feel like these are the best days we have together as a family.  We head home with big smiles on our faces and warmth in our hearts, and thanks to God for bringing us together.

PRAYER:  Dear God, Thank you for the gifts of our families and the joy that we bring to each other.  Amen.