Like last Sunday, we direct you to the Facebook page of our sister community, Kowloon Union Church. Please check this evening to see if their devotional theme for the week has been posted.
Like last Sunday, we direct you to the Facebook page of our sister community, Kowloon Union Church. Please check this evening to see if their devotional theme for the week has been posted.
Today we turn again to Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross, from Luther Seminary:
Relevant Scripture: John 9:1–41
In today’s reading, we see an ironic contrast
between this poor beggar and the educated
religious leaders. The marginalized beggar
becomes the object of God’s mercy, while the
religious elite, confident in their wisdom, cannot
seem to comprehend the ways of God.
As the story unfolds, the Pharisees question the
impudence of the once-blind beggar. Frustrated,
but not to be intimidated, he bravely points out an
obvious fact to the Pharisees: “If this man [Jesus]
were not from God, he could do nothing.”
Instead of seeing the truth, the Pharisees become
defensive; they accuse him of being born entirely
in sin and drive him out, rejecting the truth in front
of them.
During this Lenten season, may we remember
that God shows up in expected places. We cannot
presume to know God’s plan or where the Spirit
might be moving.
Prayer:
Gracious God, use us to further your kingdom. Give
us the ability to discern and accept your message,
especially when it comes from places we are not
expecting. Amen.
For today’s reflection we turn again to the HRC, an organization with a focus on LGBTQ+ issues. This reflection focuses on a very important part of the Book of Acts:
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism” (10:34).
Peter’s baptism of Cornelius the Centurion and his family may be one of the most beautiful, unexpected and profound moments recorded in scripture. A commander of 100 men, Cornelius is part of the occupying Roman Army – the enemy.
God uses two dreams to communicate the Divine dream of a more united humanity. In one dream, God tells Cornelius to send men to Joppa to find Peter. In Joppa, Peter has a dream-vision while praying. A voice tells Peter to kill and eat unclean animals. Peter answers, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” The voice replies, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.”
When the “unclean” visitors from Cornelius arrive at Peter’s house, Peter goes with them, violating a lifetime of religious conditioning and Biblical teaching about clean and profane people. In his teaching to the gathered Gentile assembly, Peter announces that “God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” Peter then tells them the story of Jesus. Suddenly the Gentiles manifest signs of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter cries, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” He welcomes the first Gentiles into the Church.
Today we see the fruit of the Holy Spirit manifest in the lives and loves of our LGBTQIA neighbors, as well as, in the lives of our non-Christians neighbors. St. Paul lists these fruits of the Holy Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-restraint. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
Against such things – THERE IS NO LAW!
Lowell Grisham
Episcopal Priest, retired
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Today we venture abroad again, though closer to home this time. Kobe Union Church (KUC!) is a historic, interdenominational church in Japan. Each day they offer a new devotion to help us “prayerfully walk through the season.”
Today’s relevant Scripture is John 7:37-39, which should be familiar to those who joined us this past Sunday. Here Jesus Christ speaks of the living water that comes through him. You can find the the devotional here.
Today’s devotion comes to us again from the Church of England’s #LiveLent series:
Scripture: Jeremiah 17:7-8
7 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
8 They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
and it does not cease to bear fruit.
Reflection:
The Bible points to trees as an example for us to follow so that when difficulty comes, we, like them, can hold fast to life. Trees do so much to support the world around them. They absorb carbon from the atmosphere. They hold back storms and flooding. They protect the soil and restore moisture to it. They provide habitats for wildlife.
Deforestation has put the whole earth in danger. Planting more trees is a vital way of protecting our world.
Action:
Can you plant a tree this Lent? If not, the Woodland Trust can plant one for you.
Prayer for the week:
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
From “O Lord my God!”,
by Stuart K. Hine (1899-1989)
Today we return to Luther Seminary’s series:
Relevant Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1–13
David was an unexpected choice for king. In today’s reading, Samuel, still mourning over Saul, heads to the house of Jesse to anoint the next king. When Samuel sees the family, he repeatedly assumes incorrectly which son God has chosen to be king. If even Samuel, one of the great prophets, can be misled by outward appearance, it is not surprising when we are tempted to make the same error.
How often do we judge people by their stature, their job, their car, their clothing? It’s easy to fall into the trap of judging others on a variety of frivolous external grounds. But we are reminded that the heart is what God sees. We are called to care more about furthering God’s kingdom than about our own appearance or our own successes. So let us concentrate on the heart this Lent—both on our own heart and on recognizing what is in the hearts of others.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we thank you for seeing us for who we are and loving us unconditionally. We pray for help in resisting the temptation to judge others. Amen.
For today, a Sunday, many congregations across the world read the same Scripture. But while you might feel a devotional is unnecessary on a regular church day, we encourage you to reflect beyond today’s sermons and prayers, and consider these texts on your own. Of particular significance is the meeting of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at Jacob’s Well (John 4:5-42). It is an encounter with deep theological significance, and shows how God’s love transcends ethnicity and religion. More fittingly, today is Women’s Sunday, which adds a further layer of theological meaning. What might this text say about the lives of women not just in Jesus’ time, but in our time?
Rather than provide a full devotional selection, we invite you to also visit the Facebook page of a sister church in Hong Kong. Kowloon Union Church offers a weekly reflection on Lenten Encounters.
Another selection from from a West Virginia Methodist:
“THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF SHADOWS”
Scripture: Matthew 4:8-11
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[”11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Away from me Satan! How many times have we said that? I know I’ve said it many times. It seems that no matter what I do Satan is always lurking around. As Christians we pray, read our Bibles and listen to God for guidance. But no matter what we do Satan always seems to show up. I remember one time when I was young, there was a kid who would always pick on me. Growing up poor I’m sure I wasn’t always clean, and I probably didn’t smell very good. But no matter what I did she would always pick on me. It was to the point I didn’t think I could take it anymore. When things were just about as bad as they could get between us. My parents came to me in the middle of the night, gave me my box and said, “Pack, it’s time to go.” My problem was solved. We were moving to a new town, a new school, new kids, and maybe even new friends. My parents had gotten divorced things were looking up. I started going to church, life was better. Then guess who showed up in my class, the same girl who always picked on me. Of all places to move, she came to the same town my dad moved me and my mom. How could this be, I’m back in the same spot I was before. I was going to be picked on all over again. But now things were different I have things a little better, I had clean clothes, we had utilities so I could wash up before school, but what mattered most I had God. She could try to pick on me if she wanted to, but it wasn’t going to work. I had made friends. I was someone now. That’s how God see’s us. We are someone, we are important, we are His children.
Get away from me, Satan I am God’s. No matter how hard things get just say “Get away from me, Satan”. He must listen to us because we belong to God.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father help us each day to realize we are your children, protected by you. Give us the courage to say “Get away Satan”. In Your name we pray. Amen.
Teresa Prince, Highland Park UMC
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the news recently. Speaking to God as the psalmist did is a way to focus and steady ourselves. What does God say in return? That is the topic of Our selection today, from the Church of England. You can subscribe to their series here.
Psalm 69.1-3,15-16
1 Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in deep mire,
where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters,
and the flood sweeps over me.
3 I am weary with my crying;
my throat is parched.
My eyes grow dim
with waiting for my God.
15 Do not let the flood sweep over me,
or the deep swallow me up,
or the Pit close its mouth over me.
16 Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good;
according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
Reflection
As we become more aware of the effects of climate change – rising temperatures and sea levels, flooding and droughts – it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Hopelessness and fear can set in.
We may feel afraid for ourselves, or for future generations. We may feel guilt that we are safe while those who live in other parts of the world suffer. But God is good, his love steadfast. And, by persevering in prayer and action, we can make a difference.
Prayer for the week
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Behold, I freely give
the living water; thirsty one,
stoop down and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank
of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
and now I live in him.
from “I heard the voice of Jesus say”,
by Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)
Today’s selection comes from Baylor University Divinity School, which is doing a Lenten series on the Gospel of Matthew:
Throughout this passage in Matthew, we see Jesus impacting the lives of many different people. There appears to be a strong contrast in socioeconomic status between the synagogue leader Jesus first meets and the woman who touches his cloak. Even so, both are desperate for his help. The Gospel of Mark says that this bleeding woman has spent all her money on doctors without ever improving. She believes that just touching Jesus’s cloak will heal her. His response to her touch is remarkable: “Daughter, your faith has healed you.” Jesus values this woman no differently than the daughter of the synagogue leader, which he demonstrates by calling the woman“daughter.” Even after living for 12 years in pain, this woman still has faith in Jesus’s power to heal, and he responds to this kindly.
Additionally, we find Jesus healing two blind men as well as a man who is demon-possessed and mute. Jesus acknowledges the blind men with the same response: “According to your faith, let it be done.” This phrase is interesting. It implies that our job is merely to believe, to have faith in Jesus, not to become tied up in legalistic matters to earn anything from him. No matter who we are, where we come from, or what we have done in the past, we find healing in Jesus. This may not mean that God will immediately give us anything we ask for, but we know we find rest in a God who is working all things for good in the end.
This Lenten season is a time for reflective repentance, reorienting ourselves back to God in the midst of anything we may be experiencing now. We must turn to Jesus, just as the bleeding woman and blind men did. Our reality as sinners is that we have no other hope. It feels these days like busyness and strict schedules are inevitable, even desired. Throughout this time, we must not forget to turn to Jesus, resting in his love for all people.
Prayer:
Gracious God, turn us back to you. Give us the discipline necessary to rest, remembering who you are and who we are in you. Let us not hold tightly to the materials or matters of this world, but rather use them for your glory. Help us to let go of anything keeping us from getting closer to You. Provide healing for those in need, and give us the strength to be all you have called us to be. Amen.
ALLISON TINSLEY