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Luke 24:36-53

Posted on Mar 31, 2018 in Lenten Devotional Blog 2018 |

March 31, 2018
Luke 24:36-53

As we conclude this Lenten devotional series, one theme that should be apparent by now, is that Luke is very thorough in the details he writes about in his gospel. Being so meticulous in his writing should be expected from Luke, who was a physician in the first century. From the beginning of the gospel he is clear that he has investigated things thoroughly. He is clear on who was King, who was governor, geographical locations of different events. Luke writes the longest gospel of the four, making sure to be as thorough as possible with his accounts of the life of Jesus Christ. Luke concludes his gospel by detailing evidence of the resurrection, the centerpiece of the Christian faith. Luke is clear, Jesus was no ghost, he was flesh and bones who was dead and raised again. Luke concludes his gospel with Jesus blessing his followers and they watch him ascend to heaven. As followers of Jesus today, Jesus continues to bless those who believe in Him and call upon his name. After Jesus blessed the disciples the text says they worshipped him and were full of joy. As we head into our Easter services this Sunday, let us remember the ways Christ has blessed each of us and may we worship Christ with great joy this Easter!

Devotion by Robert Bannan

Luke 24:13-35

Posted on Mar 30, 2018 in Lenten Devotional Blog 2018 |

March 30, 2018
Luke 24:13-35

Re-read verses 30 – 33. Would you know that you were in the Lord’s presence if He chose YOU to visit and break bread with? People don’t even make EYE contact with someone anymore. How would you know you were in His presence? These guys didn’t even know until He vanished from their sight! Verse 33 said their hearts BURNED, their spirits discerned that! They did not recognize that feeling in their hearts! Was it too late to share with the others, no. But what could have happened if they would have followed their hearts? When your heart, spirit or soul is stirred, will you know it?
Prayer: Lord, help us to discern the present of Your presence! Let Your presence burn within our hearts! Amen

Devotion by Vicki Krueger

Luke 24:1-12

Posted on Mar 29, 2018 in Lenten Devotional Blog 2018 |

March 29, 2018
Luke 24: 1-12

On the first day of the week at dawn, the women head to the tomb with everything they need to prepare Jesus’s body for burial. But when they arrive, they discover the stone has been rolled away and Jesus’s body is gone. While they’re trying to figure this out, two men were standing next to them wearing glowing robes. The women were startled. The men reminded the women that Jesus told them he would rise on the third day. The women remembered and left the tomb to report their findings to the apostles. Surprised, the apostles did not believe them. Peter runs to the tomb, and sure enough he sees it with his own two eyes. Today, we are still surprised when God keeps his promises. Often we worry and wonder if He hears us in our times of despair. Sadly, like Peter, we have to see it with our own eyes. God knows our hearts and wants us to be reminded, through the resurrection story that even death cannot keep him from us. His promises are good and his LOVE for us is endless, no need to be surprised when you see him working in your life.

Devotion by Tammi Zaidel

Luke 23:26-56

Posted on Mar 28, 2018 in Lenten Devotional Blog 2018 |

March 28, 2018
Luke 23:26-56

In this narrative we meet the character of Simon of Cyrene. Simon of Cyrene only appears in the synoptic gospels and only at the scene where a bludgeoned, bloodied, weakened, near death Jesus is unable to carry his cross up the hill to Golgotha for his own crucifixion. A Roman guard forces Simon out from the crowd to pick up the cross and assist Jesus to his place of execution. When I think of Simon of Cyrene, I think of the fact that just as in the story in Luke, Jesus needs people to carry his cross through our daily lives today. The task is arduous, but necessary. Just as Simon helped Jesus carry out his mission of atoning for the world’s sins, how will you carry out Jesus mission in our world during this Lenten season?

Devotion by Robert Bannan

Luke 23:1-25

Posted on Mar 27, 2018 in Lenten Devotional Blog 2018 |

March 27, 2018
Luke 23:1-25

As a child, I remember singing in the annual Easter passion play at our church. During the cantata, the choir would gather on stage around Jesus and become angry, yelling “Crucify Him!” Participating in that scene was always a little scary to me as a child. I remember being confused and thinking, “I would have never done that to Jesus.”
As I’ve grown older, I realize, we are all guilty. We are all the reason “why” He had to die on the cross. Maybe you and I didn’t yell “Crucify Him” that day, but the sin that ultimately put Him on the cross is yours and mine.
It is easy to look around and see the sins of others and judge. But, as we inspect our own hearts, we realize we are just as guilty and in need of God’s grace.

Devotion by Angela Smith

Luke 22:39-71

Posted on Mar 26, 2018 in Lenten Devotional Blog 2018 |

March 26, 2018
Luke 22:39-71

“The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him.” Luke 22:61

If a rooster crowed when we deny Jesus, would it lead us to repentance, or would we shrug it off and pretend it didn’t happen? Jesus forewarned Peter that he would deny him three times, and when the rooster crowed, Peter knew what he had done. Luke says Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter, and my gut tells me that Peter’s eyes met his too. It’s one thing to deny Jesus outside of his presence, but entirely another when we are face to face. Something tells me that Jesus’ stare at Peter was not one of anger, resentment, or even condemnation; rather the look of love, grace, and mercy. I think that’s why Peter went outside and wept bitterly. Jesus knows we’ll deny him too, but that doesn’t stop him from loving us, or extending his mercy and grace to us too. Like Peter, this should lead us to true repentance!

Devotion by Jeff Smith

Luke 22:1-38

Posted on Mar 24, 2018 in Lenten Devotional Blog 2018 |

March 24, 2018
Luke 22: 1–38

The Lord’s Supper

Jesus teaches the Disciples a new way to worship, and yet we see in the Disciples the true nature of human beings. A discussion of who might betray Jesus digressed into which disciple is greatest and will succeed Jesus’ ministry. Peter, the rock, is told that he will deny Jesus three times that night. How many times do we deny Jesus, or worry more about our glory than His? Furthermore, we often fail to realize what He is trying to teach us, and to fully understand His Sacrifice. Today, may we remember that the bread broken for us is Jesus’ body; the wine poured out is Jesus’ Blood, a gift from the Father. Jesus says, “But I am among you as the one who serves.” Luke 22:27.

Devotion by Arthur Merschat

Luke 21:5-38

Posted on Mar 23, 2018 in Lenten Devotional Blog 2018 |

March 23, 2018
Luke 21:5-38

In this passage, Jesus talks about the future – how the end of the world and His return will occur. How many times have we been told that Jesus was about to return? Only God the Father knows “when.”

Jesus discussed persecution, terrible natural disasters, famine, plagues, and wars. He instructed his followers to stand firm and by doing so they would “win their souls.”

Many of the signs that Jesus gave that the kingdom of God was near we see on the news each day somewhere in the world. Jesus warns us to be vigilant at all times and to pray that we will be strong enough to endure “these horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” May we be guilty of being followers of Jesus when that time comes.

Devotion by Neville Chaney

Luke 20:27 – 21:4

Posted on Mar 22, 2018 in Lenten Devotional Blog 2018 |

March 22, 2018
Luke 20:27-21:4

We are all God’s Children, though only one was His Son. In these verses, Jesus speaks of many things but there are 3 major themes that He speaks of.

We are all equal in His eyes. Regardless of how we live through this life, upon the resurrection we are His children and hold equal standing. We shall not gloat, be prideful, and make a show of our faith. We must give ourselves, in the best of our capacity as the widow had given (Luke 21:4).

By giving to others, we show our best in caring for God’s children. Our talents, our gifts, and our time are most precious to us and to others. In doing so, we may be considered worthy.

Devotion by Martin Hubner

Luke 20:1-26

Posted on Mar 21, 2018 in Lenten Devotional Blog 2018 |

March 21, 2018
Luke 20: 1-26

This passage includes three powerful lessons from Jesus in response to questions from the religious and political leaders and, in between, a parable about a landowner and his tenants.

By replying with a question to a question posed by the religious leaders, Jesus used His own question to explain who He is and expose the hypocrisy of the leaders. These men knew that John said Jesus was the Messiah but were unwilling to accept it.

The parable about a landowner and his tenants tells us that God is patient with those who doubt him but that one day they will answer for their actions. Those that come to Jesus will be broken of their pride and self-will, but those who refuse will be crushed in judgment.

Finally, the Pharisees try to entrap Jesus. In his response to their question about paying taxes to Caesar, Jesus is saying that we are citizens of heaven and earth at the same time. Give the coin to Caesar, but give your life to God.

Devotion by Mike Hall