Thursday, February 28
Printable Version of This Week’s Devotion
Listen to February 24 Sermon: Valley of Suffering
Jesus’ life and suffering glorified God. Looking past our own suffering to the suffering of
those next door or a world away joins personal circumstance with a universal cry. Our prayer can become a prayer for the whole of humanity; a call for the promise of Christ’s sacrifice to enfold all of us in God’s mercy, grace and power. What prayer might you say today?
February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28
Printable Version of This Week’s Devotion
Listen to February 24 Sermon: Valley of Suffering
In Galatians 6:2 Paul says that we are to bear one another’s burdens. In the Practice of Substituted Love [Weavings, July/August 2007], Elizabeth Green suggests that we can offer “…to carry the weight of others’ grief, pain and fear for a time so they can meet their challenges in a less encumbered way. Jesus does this for us, and we are called to do so for others. And …”what if we can ask others to do the same for us?” How might you carry or share a burden?
February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26
Printable Version of This Week’s Devotion
Listen to February 24 Sermon: Valley of Suffering
Jesus is both example and companion. In Gethsemane Jesus asks that his suffering be taken away. “Father if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done [Luke 22: 42].” How might you pray; ‘Lord, in all the circumstances of my life, may you be glorified?’
February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25
Printable Version of This Week’s Devotion
Listen to February 24 Sermon: Valley of Suffering
Why human suffering? It is a part of our earthly experience. It is. Perhaps the question is not so much ‘why’, but ‘where’ to find God in the midst of suffering or ‘how’ to endure? What are your ‘places of suffering’? Where has God been present directly and through others? How has prayer undergirded endurance?
February 25, 2008
Sunday, February 24
Printable Version of This Week’s Devotion
Jesus walked ‘ the valley of suffering’ within God’s love, presence and guidance. He did not walk alone and neither do we. Jesus set aside time for prayer and reflection, time in which he spoke to God and listened for God’s response; time in which he may simply have ‘rested’ in God’s presence. How are you suffering today? How might you rest in God’s presence?
February 25, 2008
Saturday, February 23
Printable Version of This Week’s Devotionals
Pray Hymn 301:
“Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross”
Jesus, keep me near the cross:
There a precious fountain,
free to all, a healing stream
flows from Calvary’s mountain.
In the Cross, in the Cross,
Be my glory ever,
Till my raptured soul shall find,
Rest beyond the river.
February 23, 2008
Friday, February 22
Read Luke 17-21
Printable Version of This Week’s Devotionals
Having discovered your own vulnerability, how might you turn toward the weak and the marginalized in our society, not only to bring the message of Christ, but to be the hands of Christ?
February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 21
Read Mark 9:14-24
Printable Version of This Week’s Devotionals
How much faith is needed in order that we might be touched and healed? In Mark 9:14-24 a desperate father has brought his son to be healed, approaching Jesus saying: “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Although the father isn’t certain what Jesus can or will do, he responds to Jesus by saying “I do believe, help my unbelief.”
February 21, 2008
Wednesday, February 20
Read Mark 5:25-34
Printable Version of This Week’s Devotionals
In Mark 5:25-34 a woman is healed as she ‘touches the hem’ of Jesus’ garment. To come close enough to Jesus to touch him implies profound need, persistence and faith. Indeed, Jesus says that the woman’s faith has healed her. In faith how might you seek to touch Jesus? How might Jesus respond to your touch?
February 20, 2008
Tuesday, February 19
Read Luke 6:17-21
Printable Version of This Week’s Devotionals
People ‘reached out’ to Jesus hoping to bring a personal petition to his attention; hoping to draw him toward a need which only he could address. It’s difficult to reach and hide at the same time. Reaching for Jesus means opening to vulnerability, making plain before him that we need and desire forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration. How might you open yourself to Jesus this week?
February 19, 2008
Monday, February 18
Read Luke 6:20-21
Printable Version of This Week’s Devotionals
People came to ‘hear’ Jesus. In order to hear we must make ourselves available to listen. Sitting quietly with Scripture, silencing our own voice, and making a place in which God may be heard will open both mind and heart to the healing that we seek. What does God say to you in today’s scripture?
February 18, 2008
Sunday, February 17
Read Luke 6:17-19
Printable Version of This Week’s Devotionals
The Scriptural passage suggests that need and vulnerability are recognized by those who seek Jesus. God will meet us at our place of greatest need. Our physical needs are often obvious; our spiritual needs sometimes less so; and our temptations want to remain in darkness. Prayerfully consider those areas in which you recognize vulnerability and ‘weakness’. Ask Christ to show you those places you cannot see. Bring all these to Christ.
February 18, 2008
The liturgical season of Lent is a forty-day period of prayer and spiritual self-examination which prepares us for the Festival of the Resurrection, Easter. It is a time during which we follow the life of Jesus as he traveled toward the Cross. Join us each day to reflect and pray. As God’s beloved children, let us journey together with open hearts and minds as we seek ‘peace in the valley’.
February 8, 2008
