The Lord’s Prayer For the next four Sundays (August 16 – September 6), the Narrative Lectionary will focus on the Lord’s Prayer as it is found in the gospel of Luke (Luke 11:2-4). When working with the Lord’s Prayer, I have always found Martin Luther’s thoughts from his Small Catechism to be insightful and worth […]
Year 2, Narrative Lectionary, Mark
2 Corinthians 8:1-15, They Gave Themselves First to the Lord
They Gave Themselves First to the Lord Devotions for 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 August 3-9, 2020 Monday, They Gave Themselves First to the Lord “We want you to know … about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia” (2 Corinthians 8:1). Some congregations include a brief litany in their […]
2 Corinthians 5:11-21, He is a New Creation
He is a New Creation Devotions for 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 July 27-August 2, 2020 Monday, He is a New Creation “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others” (2 Corinthians 5:11). Brent and Sally plopped down at a table in the teacher’s lounge. It had been one of those days. […]
2 Corinthians 4:1-18, Treasure in Jars of Clay
Treasure in Jars of Clay Devotions on 2 Corinthians 4:1-18 July 20-26, 2020 Monday, Treasure in Jars of Clay “Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4:1). Marissa accepted a call to serve a four point parish in rural America. […]
2 Corinthians 2:1-10, Tough Love and Difficult Forgiveness
Tough Love and Difficult Forgiveness Devotions for 2 Corinthians 2:1-10 July 13-19, 2020 Monday, “So I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit” (2 Corinthians 2:1) Enjoying a summer walk along a cobblestone path, Brad didn’t did see the stone that jutted out above the others. With only a pair […]
2 Corinthians 1:1-11, A Word of Consolation
A Consoling Embrace A Word of Consolation Devotions for 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 July 6-12, 2020 Monday, A Word of Consolation “Paul an apostle of Christ by the will of God” (2 Corinthians 1:1a). Being an apostle of Christ was not in the career path that Paul had mapped out. Paul’s plans were changed, though, […]
Job 42:7-16, New Beginnings
“There came to him all his brothers and sisters New Beginnings Devotions for Job 42:7-16 June 29-July 5, 2020 Monday, New Beginnings “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends” (Job 42:7a). It is difficult to practice what we preach. The story-teller of Job found this to be true. For forty-one […]
Job 31:35-37; 38:1-11, God Speaks
God Answers Job in a Whirlwind God Speaks Devotions for Job 31:35-37, 38:1-11 June 22-28, 2020 Monday, God Speaks “O that I had my indictment written by my adversary” (Job 31:35). Job was feeling pretty proud of himself. For over twenty chapters of his story Job has withstood the accusations of his friends. Job […]
Job 14:7-15, 19:23-27-Hope in Suffering
Hope in Suffering Devotions for June 15-21, 2020 Job 14:7-15, 19:23-27 Monday, Hope in Suffering “For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down it will sprout again” (Job 14:7). It had been a harrowing nine months for Salvador. A routine colonoscopy had discovered polyps that were cancerous. Salvador had endured surgery, […]
Job 3:1-10, 4:1-9, 7:11-21-Grappling with God
Grappling with God Devotions for Job 3:1-10, 4:1-9, 7:11-21 June 8-14, 2020 Monday, Grappling with God “Let the day perish in which I was born” (Job 3:1). Kyle sat on the edge of his bed with a bottle of pills in his hand. His life had become a living hell. Kyle was small of […]