1 Samuel 3:8-9 The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” ’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Samuel was a young boy who was an apprentice to the old prophet/priest Eli. He lived with him in the temple and helped him out. One night Samuel heard someone calling his name. He assumed it was his master Eli and ran to see what he needed. After a few times of this and Eli saying "I didn't call you. Go back to bed and leave me alone," Eli realized what was happening. Eli realized it was God and told Samuel how to respond and how to listen for God's instruction.
Samuel needed Eli to show him how to hear God's voice. Samuel needed Eli to show him how to respond appropriately. Samuel needed someone older and wiser to guide him. We all need spiritual guides. Whether they be pastors or grandparents or teachers or friends, we need someone who can guide us. I thank God for all those who have guided me and helped me to listen for God's voice in the night.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This Sunday we return to our "normal" worship schedule, with Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour at 9:45. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full information and respond to this email to be unsubscribed from the devotionals mailing list.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
ASLC Devotions - Wednesday
Daniel 2:48 Then the king promoted Daniel, gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.
Remember yesterday's message? Remember King Nebuchadnezzar and his crazy dream that nobody could interpret? And Daniel was able to explain it to the king. Well, the king was grateful. He not only cancelled his threat to kill all the prophets and wise men in the kingdom, he picked out Daniel for special favor.
Daniel got a promotion and, in the passage that follows, got a special promotion for his friends and fellow Jews Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. You may remember some other stories about Daniel and about those three friends. They got themselves in the position to save their people, to affect history, because Daniel correctly interpreted this dream. They got into that position because of God's help. God has put you in a certain position. Why, do you think? For what purpose are you where you are in your life?
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This Sunday we return to our "normal" worship schedule, with Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour at 9:45. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full information and respond to this email to be unsubscribed from the devotionals mailing list.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
ASLC Devotions - Tuesday
Daniel 2:1 In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed such dreams that his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him.
Yesterday we met the three wise men (sometimes referred to as kings) from the east who had a vision and saw a star and came to see the baby Jesus. Today we travel back in time several hundred years to meet another powerful king from the east, Nebuchadnezzar. This king had some terrible dreams. He didn't know what they meant and they kept him from sleeping.
He called all his wise men together to interpret the dream and none could. None but Daniel, the Jewish worshiper of the god we call God. This can be a reminder that wealth and power don't take away problems. Even Nebuchadnezzar had trouble sleeping at night. The only peace comes from God. God revealed the meaning of the dream to Daniel, who shared it with the king, and brought him peace. Peace comes from God.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This Sunday we return to our "normal" worship schedule, with Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour at 9:45. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full information and respond to this email to be unsubscribed from the devotionals mailing list.
Yesterday we met the three wise men (sometimes referred to as kings) from the east who had a vision and saw a star and came to see the baby Jesus. Today we travel back in time several hundred years to meet another powerful king from the east, Nebuchadnezzar. This king had some terrible dreams. He didn't know what they meant and they kept him from sleeping.
He called all his wise men together to interpret the dream and none could. None but Daniel, the Jewish worshiper of the god we call God. This can be a reminder that wealth and power don't take away problems. Even Nebuchadnezzar had trouble sleeping at night. The only peace comes from God. God revealed the meaning of the dream to Daniel, who shared it with the king, and brought him peace. Peace comes from God.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This Sunday we return to our "normal" worship schedule, with Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour at 9:45. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full information and respond to this email to be unsubscribed from the devotionals mailing list.
Monday, January 6, 2014
ASLC Devotions - Monday
Matthew 2:1-2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’
Today is actually the Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas and the end to the Christmas season. The story as displayed in nativity scenes and sung in carols is now complete. We've had Mary and Joseph and the inn; we've met angels and shepherds; we've seen the baby born. And now the wise men enter the scene so we can sing "We Three Kings of Orient Are."
So in total we see the effect that this child will have on the world. The humble shepherds were some of the first to come see him. Angels sang at his birth and animals witnessed it. But eventually, even the wise and powerful of the world will also come to pay him homage. It's like all the history of the past 2000 years is summarized and foreshadowed in these few events. As Scripture promises, eventually every knee will bow at the name of Jesus. For now, these three strangers from the east stand in to represent the whole wide world. And we join them in worship.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This Sunday we return to our "normal" worship schedule, with Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour at 9:45. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full information and respond to this email to be unsubscribed from the devotionals mailing list.
Today is actually the Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas and the end to the Christmas season. The story as displayed in nativity scenes and sung in carols is now complete. We've had Mary and Joseph and the inn; we've met angels and shepherds; we've seen the baby born. And now the wise men enter the scene so we can sing "We Three Kings of Orient Are."
So in total we see the effect that this child will have on the world. The humble shepherds were some of the first to come see him. Angels sang at his birth and animals witnessed it. But eventually, even the wise and powerful of the world will also come to pay him homage. It's like all the history of the past 2000 years is summarized and foreshadowed in these few events. As Scripture promises, eventually every knee will bow at the name of Jesus. For now, these three strangers from the east stand in to represent the whole wide world. And we join them in worship.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This Sunday we return to our "normal" worship schedule, with Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11 and Education Hour at 9:45. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full information and respond to this email to be unsubscribed from the devotionals mailing list.
Friday, January 3, 2014
ASLC Devotions - Friday
Psalm 72:1 Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king’s son.
Political sentiment is so divided and polarized right now that middle ground seems lacking. If you like our country's current President it seems that you have to like and agree with everything he does and think that our previous President was evil incarnate. Or the opposite, whichever side you happen to be on. All this makes it difficult for Christians who are called on to pray for our leaders.
While I don't at all buy the polarization and the labeling of any person as evil, I have sometimes found it difficult to come up with words to pray for all of our leaders. This opening line of Psalm 72 seems like a really good place to start... Give the king your justice, O God. I pray that justice for all of our leaders.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Sunday January 5 we will have one service as we mark Epiphany at 10 am. Education Hour will be at 9 am. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full information and respond to this email to be unsubscribed from the devotionals mailing list. Blessed Christmas!
and your righteousness to a king’s son.
Political sentiment is so divided and polarized right now that middle ground seems lacking. If you like our country's current President it seems that you have to like and agree with everything he does and think that our previous President was evil incarnate. Or the opposite, whichever side you happen to be on. All this makes it difficult for Christians who are called on to pray for our leaders.
While I don't at all buy the polarization and the labeling of any person as evil, I have sometimes found it difficult to come up with words to pray for all of our leaders. This opening line of Psalm 72 seems like a really good place to start... Give the king your justice, O God. I pray that justice for all of our leaders.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Sunday January 5 we will have one service as we mark Epiphany at 10 am. Education Hour will be at 9 am. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full information and respond to this email to be unsubscribed from the devotionals mailing list. Blessed Christmas!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
ASLC Devotions - Thursday
James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.
I am really struck by that phrase "gentleness born of wisdom" that James recommends to us. What exactly does it look like? I'm having an easier time getting into it by thinking of the things it does NOT look like. Gentleness born of wisdom is not knowing everything and telling everyone that you know it. There may be wisdom in that - you may actually know things and you may be right. But it's not gentleness. But neither is it passively sitting by. That may be gentleness, but it's more like a gentleness born of fear than a gentleness born of wisdom.
When I think of gentleness born of wisdom I think of my grandfather. He would watch me making dumb decision after dumb decision. And it was clear what he thought. But he would say something like "Things will work out in the end. You've got to learn from yourself." That kind of gentleness born of wisdom takes a lot of faith that God can clean up messes. And it's a great gift.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Sunday January 5 we will have one service as we mark Epiphany at 10 am. Education Hour will be at 9 am. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full information and respond to this email to be unsubscribed from the devotionals mailing list. Blessed Christmas!
I am really struck by that phrase "gentleness born of wisdom" that James recommends to us. What exactly does it look like? I'm having an easier time getting into it by thinking of the things it does NOT look like. Gentleness born of wisdom is not knowing everything and telling everyone that you know it. There may be wisdom in that - you may actually know things and you may be right. But it's not gentleness. But neither is it passively sitting by. That may be gentleness, but it's more like a gentleness born of fear than a gentleness born of wisdom.
When I think of gentleness born of wisdom I think of my grandfather. He would watch me making dumb decision after dumb decision. And it was clear what he thought. But he would say something like "Things will work out in the end. You've got to learn from yourself." That kind of gentleness born of wisdom takes a lot of faith that God can clean up messes. And it's a great gift.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Sunday January 5 we will have one service as we mark Epiphany at 10 am. Education Hour will be at 9 am. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full information and respond to this email to be unsubscribed from the devotionals mailing list. Blessed Christmas!
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
ASLC Devotions - Wednesday
What is known according to our secular calendars as New Year's Day is known in the church as "The Name of Jesus." Jewish babies were named on the eighth day, so it is today that Jesus would have been named Jesus. So we celebrate that name and what it means and gives us. It means "God saves." That's a blessing worth celebrating. So our text today that I offer to you is a blessing from God first spoken by Moses:
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Sunday January 5 we will have one service as we mark Epiphany at 10 am. Education Hour will be at 9 am. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full information and respond to this email to be unsubscribed from the devotionals mailing list. Blessed Christmas!
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Sunday January 5 we will have one service as we mark Epiphany at 10 am. Education Hour will be at 9 am. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full information and respond to this email to be unsubscribed from the devotionals mailing list. Blessed Christmas!
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