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November 26 Hebrews 8 The old covenant, being imperfect, was replaced by the new covenant based on grace. INSIGHT All the major features of the old covenant, which existed on a literal, physical level, are found in the new covenant on a spiritual, heavenly level. The old covenant had a physical sanctuary, a human high priest, and used real animals for sacrifices. This covenant was inadequate in that it could only deal with sins temporarily; it could not remove sins permanently (v. 7). In the new covenant there is a spiritual sanctuary, a heavenly High Priest, and a celestial Lamb whose death provides permanent forgiveness of sin for an infinite number of people. It is a better covenant, which was established on better promises (v. 6). PRAYER Praise the Lord that Jesus sacrifice was sufficient for the sins of all humankind: Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting,You are God (Psalm 90:1-2). Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin: Israel, return to the Lord your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity; Take words with you, And return to the Lord. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips"(Hosea 14:1-2). Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20) As you make your requests known to the Lord, include: greater love for others, missionaries in the Middle East, your activities for the day. Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord: May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

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Thursday, 11/26/2009 Luke 21:25-36 (Click to view Bible text below.) Mary's experience with God transforms her worldview. Since God could choose a "lowly" person like a peasant girl from Nazareth (now unwed and pregnant) to bear God's son, everything looked different. God was no longer apparently captive to the powerful and professionally religious. The fortunate in the world were no longer the fat and powerful. Because of what God did for Mary, she understood that the least in the world were especially favored. What a creation-changing gift Mary gives! God of the lowly, you nurture the poor and hungry. Help us be your hands and heart to the lowly of our world this season and, in them, let us meet Christ. Amen. John Martin Mann Seminary Pastor, Luther Seminary Luke 21:25-36 (NRSV) 25  [Jesus said,] "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26  "People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27  "Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. 28  "Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." 29  Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30  "as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31  "So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32  "Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33  "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34  "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35  "like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36  "Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." return to devotion This God Pause daily devotion is brought to you by alumni/ae of Luther Seminary. Luther Seminary educates leaders for Christian communities across the country and around the world. It is the largest of the eight seminaries in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). We invite you to join us online for our daily chapel service. Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55108 Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

to the people in the USA

 

Prayers Our With You All

 

God Bless You,

Susan

 

 

 

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November 25 Hebrews 4 As we labor to enter into Gods rest, we may call upon Christ for mercy and grace. INSIGHT The Word of God is energized by the Spirit of God. Whenever Scripture goes forth, it never returns without accomplishing the work it was intended to do. This is because the written Word of God is "living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword" (v. 12). As we minister to others, the Bible must be central to all that we say and do. We must always remember that it is the Word which is alive, not our own insights, clever arguments, or interesting stories. PRAYER Because God has provided the Bible as our source of truth, we give Him praise: I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. . . . You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:7-9, 11). Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin: Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him (Psalm 2:10-12). Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord: "I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) As you make your requests known to the Lord, include: wisdom in interpreting the Bible, missionaries in India, whatever else is on your heart. Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord: Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . My beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)

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Wednesday, 11/25/2009 Psalm 26 (Click to view Bible text below.) Saying thank you was probably one of the first things your parents ever taught you. A relative handed you a piece of candy or gave you a compliment and your parents were on top of you: "And what do you say?" Most of us reached our pinnacle of thankfulness when we were four, which is why I will be your parent today. When someone lets you squeeze into congested traffic, what do you say? When you have to pay your taxes, what do you say? When you realize that God created you, brought you into being and gives you every breath you take, what do you say? When you walk, see, cry, laugh and love, what do you say? When you look around the table at the loved ones gathered, what do you say? When you realize that the God of all creation cares about you and died on a cross for you, what do you say? Dear God, thank you.  Amen. Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Maple Grove, Minn. Master of Divinity, 1983 Psalm 26 (NRSV) 1  Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.  2  Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and mind.  3  For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you.   4  I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites;  5  I hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.  6  I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O Lord,  7  singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds.  8  O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides.  9  Do not sweep me away with sinners, nor my life with the bloodthirsty,  10  those in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes.  11  But as for me, I walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.  12  My foot stands on level ground; in the great congregation I will bless the Lord. return to devotion This God Pause daily devotion is brought to you by alumni/ae of Luther Seminary. Luther Seminary educates leaders for Christian communities across the country and around the world. It is the largest of the eight seminaries in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). We invite you to join us online for our daily chapel service.   Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55108 Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

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November 24 Hebrews 2 Because Christ was man as well as God, He is able to give aid to us who are human. INSIGHT Jesus is God, but He was also man; Jesus was man, but He is also God. It is essential that Christ be both God and man. If Christ were not man, He could not have died for our sins. If He were not God, His death would not have been sufficient to pay the price for the sin of mankind. Christ was the perfect sacrifice. In fact, He was the only possible sacrifice able to atone for the sins of man and appease the wrath of God. As you continue to read the book of Hebrews, you will realize that the author's main point is simply this - the superiority of Jesus Christ. PRAYER The Lamb of God was the perfect sacrifice for our sin and so we praise Him: "I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them" (Isaiah 42:6-9). Pause for praise and thanksgiving as you seek to keep your life free from sin: But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?" Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? (Romans 9:20-21) Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb (Psalm 19:9-10). As you make your requests known to the Lord, include: better listening skills, wisdom for governing authorities, whatever else is on your heart. Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord: Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah (Psalm 3:8).

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Tuesday, 11/24/2009 "Will You Let Me Be Your Servant," ELW 659 (Click to view the hymn text below.) Peter and I have two children at St. Olaf College. We joke about the fact that since we are paying for our children to go to college, we don't have to worry about money ... because we don't have any.  The reality is we are thrilled that they are in school. Their tuition is one of our favorite investments. Other investments we treasure are our gifts to our seminary, Luther Seminary, and to our church, Lord of Life Lutheran.  It is great fun to see how God is at work in the lives of our children, and it is great fun to see how God is at work in the life of the church. We are so privileged to be a part of it all. Lord God, we give thanks for the resources that allow us to be your partners in caring for your people. We give you thanks that "we are here to help each other ... walk the mile and bear the load." We pray for joyful hearts in all of our giving. Amen. Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Maple Grove Minn. Master of Divinity, 1983, Doctor of Ministry, 2001 "Will You Let Me Be Your Servant," ELW 659 1  Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too. 2  We are pilgrims on a journey, we are trav'lers on the road; we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load. 3  I will hold the Christ-light for you in the nighttime of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear. 4  I will weep when you are weeping; when you laugh I'll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow till we've seen this journey through. 5  Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too. return to devotion This God Pause daily devotion is brought to you by alumni/ae of Luther Seminary. Luther Seminary educates leaders for Christian communities across the country and around the world. It is the largest of the eight seminaries in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). We invite you to join us online for our daily chapel service. Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55108