Daily Outreach Devotions
MONDAY
Grace to you and peace from God our Father through Jesus Christ who is The Vine. As we continue the sermon series, “Blessed Be the Name of the Lord” we come to this wonderful name or title of Jesus as recorded in John 15. The text is John 15:1-8 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” We consider the theme, “Stay Connected to Christ!” Let us pray. (Sermon Series: “Blessed Be the Name of the Lord)
TUESDAY
William Cowper is proof that a Christian can be used by God even when plagued by doubts and anxiety. When very young, he lost his mother and often struggled with depression. God worked through him as he teamed up with William Wilberforce and John Newton to abolish slavery in Britain. He was also gifted as a poet and songwriter. His hymn, There is a Fountain Filled with Blood, reminds us of the great sacrifice paid by our Savior, and the forgiveness He offers.
WEDNESDAY
The Weekly Word
When the Hebrew slaves fled from Egypt, only the Red Sea stood between them and freedom. God removed that barrier in an amazing miracle (Exodus 14). Now, they were about to move into Canaan, the Promised Land, and the Jordan River was another water barrier. Would God’s people remember His Red Sea miracle and trust Him for safe passage? Verse 16 above reports that they chose to believe—a lesson we need to take seriously in our lives. Nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:37). He will lead us through the barriers when we trust in Him.
THURSDAY
From the President’s Desk
Some of our fellow believers struggle to spend time reading the Old Testament, claiming irrelevance or difficulty interpreting the translated Aramaic or Hebrew into out-moded English. It was not until my wife graciously gifted me the Lutheran Study Bible that I realized most, if not all of us, would benefit from having a handy commentary running alongside the Bible verses. The verse-by-verse descriptions clarify the true meaning of each passage and chapter. This is truly a wonderful way to read and immediately understand what may have been previously obscure.
All the electronic equipment that is part of modern life is great? Right? Your laptop and tablet as well as your smart phone have become conveniences that most people rely on each day. I’ve often wondered what my grandfather, born in 1897, would say about such things, if he were able to make a return to earth—and no he can’t. The word laptop would be understood as part of your body. A tablet would be the writing pad which he used in the country school house. I well remember his old fashioned phone hanging on the wall which had to be cranked to get the attention of the operator, and those on the party line. Smart phone? No, there was nothing very smart about a phone back then but they are collectors items!
SATURDAY
Psalm 150 is the final chapter in the Book of Psalms, which was the Jewish song book. It is an appropriate ending for over one-hundred songs filled with poetry and praise. The word Hebrew word, hallelu, is repeated 6 times in these 12 verses and shares a root with Hallel, the prayer recited on many Jewish holidays. We translate hallelu in English as hallelujah or “praise.” However, in the context of this psalm, hallelu is an imperative instruction for all Israel to “Praise God!” After 149 previous psalms, this final song directs its readers to praise God through noisemaking. It reminds us that prayer can be musical and can go beyond the solemn or serious. Prayer during ancient times could be joyous and can be the same today. Psalm 150 urges us to incorporate our emotion into our prayers by being lively without being any less sacred.
Enjoy these daily devotions above from the Lutheran Hour Ministries to enrich your relationship with God and being in His Word. You can also view other devotionals below that may interest you.
