A Life Changed

Saturday, March 10

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:17

When I ask myself the question, “What is my living proof of Jesus

Christ?” my answer would be when I received Christ as my Savior. He

made me a new creation in Him. The old is gone forever and the new has

come! Praise the Lord! I thank God that even though I am a sinner, He

demonstrated His love for me by giving His Son to die for me and forgave

me of all my sins. Because of His life, death, and resurrection, I will be

with Him for all eternity in Heaven. Also, I no longer have to live in my

own strength. As I read the Word of God and get it down in my heart, I

can depend each day on the Holy Spirit’s strength and guidance for my

life. What glorious proof that the living Christ changes lives forever! I am

so thankful that I am a life changed! If you have not received Christ as

your Savior, now is the time my friend! Become “A Life Changed”.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you so much for making it possible for a sinner, such as I,

to receive by grace through faith, your precious gift, Jesus Christ. Amen. ~Debbie Jones

Have Mercy on Me, O God

Friday, March 9

Read: Psalm 51:1-17

For me, Lent often comes at a perfect time for a new start. Memories

of failed New Year’s resolutions are still fresh enough that, I think if God

will wipe the slate clean just one more time, I can take another shot at

‘getting my stuff together’ – at renewing that spiritual fervor, nipping that

pesky sin, acting out that conviction. It’s a theology of “try harder.” This

season– when Christians remember the God who loved us all the way to

the cross – becomes a self-improvement regiment. Not in Psalm 51.

David’s contrite prayer calls upon a God who goes far beyond merely giving

us one more chance. David and God both know that David needs

more than a fresh start; he needs a God whose mercy upholds his life. He

needs a God who is mercy. When we read this psalm of Israel, we are

invited to surrender to God our whole selves. We are invited to gaze on

Jesus, the one who has already prayed this prayer for us and who

is God’s

answer to this prayer. We are freed to look with joy upon

His merciful

work. And when we are so freed, we can see Jesus’ surprising and subtle

work in the world, in our neighbors and even in our lives.

Prayer:

Merciful Lord, in this time of Lent, turn us toward your prayer for us, Jesus

Christ. Amen. ~Nate Rauh

Look Up

Thursday, March 8

Read: Genesis 15:5

I see Jesus working every day, although sometimes more clearly. On

one such occasion, I was in bed anxiously praying for a word of assurance

concerning my family. I distinctly heard a voice say

“get up, go outside in the

sun, and look up.”

Rather than think about what these words meant, I leapt

out of bed in hopeful expectancy, quickly dressed, and rushed outside. As

my eyes adjusted to the light, I was moved to look to my left. There I saw

a bell tower rising above the tree line, with four bells, framed vertically in

the tower’s structure. In them, I immediately recognized my wife, our two

sons, and myself, all held together through life’s various storms, by

Christ’s strong hands. To those passing by, my slack-jawed countenance

probably didn’t register. Yet I experienced God that morning in a profoundly

moving way. As Alfred Ackley wrote in the refrain of his famous

hymn (

“He Lives”), “You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.”

And ultimately, that is where I see Jesus at work the most...charming my

fears while sanctifying my heart.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, During this time of Lenten reflection, lift up our eyes to You, the

source of all light, and show us that You are indeed with us. Amen.

~The Rev. Charlie Stribula

Miracle Vision

Wednesday, March 7

Read: John 6:1-14

As a young youth ministry leader in Germany I struggled mightily with

reconciling faith and intellect. I tried hard to understand how Jesus could

feed five thousand with only five loaves and two fish. So, when I lead my

first devotion on that text for the confirmands, I tried to explain to them

somewhat along the lines of: There were people who felt a spiritual hunger

and Jesus preached so mightily that they felt fulfilled with his words, so

much that they forgot all about their physical needs, isn't that wonder

enough? It was my test by the Lord and I failed as miserably as Philip did.

I later realized that it comes down to this: Can I believe that this Jesus rose

from the grave and conquered death? Because if he did that – and he did!-

truly feeding 5000 people with scarce food seems like child play against it.

Prayer:

Lord, give me eyes to see the miracles you do and a heart to praise them every

day. Amen. ~Johannes Amberg

The Good Work of SoSA

Tuesday, March 6

Read: Leviticus 19:9

Undoubtedly when I am speaking about the good work of the Society

of St. Andrew, someone will hear the word gleaning and upon its explanation

will comment, “Wow! Where did SoSA come up with that great

idea?” Since the beginning of written history, God instructed farmers not

to harvest the edges of their fields so that the poor may glean food to feed

their families. The Society of St. Andrew is proud to live out God’s plan

by joining in this age-old tradition. From its humble beginnings, the founders

of SoSA have been an amazing example of Christ at work in the

world; by living together in Christian community, inviting neighbors and

passersby to their home to share in the Eucharist, and sacrificing much of

the material world so that others could eat. I see living proof of Christ

with each gleaning, devotion written, sermon preached, potato drop, and

Harvest of Hope event. The Society of St. Andrew and our volunteers are

able to feed God’s hungry children with the abundance of food that God

provided not because of what we have done, but because of what God has

done and empowers us to do by simply living out our faith.

Prayer:

Gracious God, Thank you for the work of the Society of St. Andrew and

thousand’s of volunteers who follow your plan. Amen. ~The Rev. Jennifer Vestal Moore

In the Face of a Child

Monday, March 5

Read: Ephesians5:8-14

On the 15th of March 1986, my daughter Carroll was born. Having a

child in our home brought many new discoveries. There were the dangers

that adults never see – steps to fall down, doors to slam shut, and electric

sockets to name just a few. There was a constant need for attention and

teaching. Yes, we saw and experienced things in a new light. Everywhere

we went, we were beaming. Our friends, even strangers, were excited for

us. We loved sharing our story with anyone and everyone we encountered.

But as the days went on, things became routine. We began to take

things for granted and, alas, we were not beaming as we had. There was

nothing any less special about what had happened, but somehow, in the

turmoil of everyday life, we had lost the glimmer and had forgotten the

importance of the gift we had been given. That is not to say that the

love or joy was gone – just that we were not radiating it as we did at first.

Maybe all the days of our lives we should look at the gifts we are given

with an understanding that they are gifts from God. Maybe if we remember

Christ’s sacrifice for us, then we will see the grace that comes to us

each day and allows us to let Christ shine through our words and actions.

Prayer: God, Thank you for all of your wonderful gifts. Amen. ~The Rev. Marty Martin

Putting Others First

Sunday, March 4

Read: John 1:14-18

I grew up in the church, from infancy to adulthood, and yet I always

had a hard time understanding who Jesus really was. I had heard all the

Bible stories of Jesus, had read many of them myself. Jesus, as depicted

in the Bible, was a very compelling figure, I thought. But it always felt

abstract. These were stories of events that happened in a time and a place

that was very different than the place and time I knew. King Jesus seemed

no more real to me than King Arthur. It wasn’t until I began to set aside

the self-interest and self-focus of childhood that I began to know who

Jesus really was. In being able to offer love to another person, I experienced

the giving love of Christ. In becoming a father, I experienced the

miracle of new life through God. In being able to give time and talent and

treasures to the needs of others, I experienced the sacrificial presence of

Jesus. Jesus Christ has taken on flesh and blood in my life in the ways I

have learned to put other people first and to live in accordance with his

purpose for me.

Prayer:

Lord God Immanuel, you have given us life that we might offer it to others.

Empower me to greater things by using me to offer your hope, your blessings, your light,

and your life in the ways that I live. In Jesus’ name. Amen. ~J.J. Williamson