ASLC Devotions - Friday

Psalm 145:15-16 The eyes of all look to you,
   and you give them their food in due season. 
 You open your hand,
   satisfying the desire of every living thing. 

In our house we say the same table grace nearly every meal: "Come Lord Jesus, be our guest..."

Some very good friends with whom we often share meals have another family grace they use. So when we eat together we say both. It's kind of fun and helps to open our minds to other ways of thanking God.

Others I know use the above words of the psalmist as a table grace. I like them in that context, but it's hard to break the traditions of a 9 year old (and his dad). These words above are a beautiful reminder though that everything we have comes directly from God's hand. That every living thing is dependent on God for the necessities of life. And God does not disappoint. Whether it's your table grace or not, it's a good reminder.

In Christ,
Pastor Seth

This is a ministry of All Saints Lutheran Church. Join us in worship Saturday at 5 or Sunday at 9. This Sunday, to celebrate Vacation Bible School, there will be an ice cream social and raffle after Sunday worship.

ASLC Devotions - Thursday

Philippians 4:10 I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it.

Quick background: the apostle Paul is writing back to his friends in Philippi that he taught about God and the gospel. He's now in prison in Rome, and his friends in Philippi had sent some money or food or something to help support him. And he's thanking them. His mommy taught him well. 

I guess as I read these words it is a reminder that it does feel good to know that you're not alone. It feels good to know that you don't bear your burdens alone, that others care, that others are willing to enter into your life and it's troubles with you. There are people who are concerned for you, and who look for an opportunity to show it. And when someone takes that opportunity, it truly lifts some of your burden. Who has showed that concern for you recently?

In Christ,
Pastor Seth

This is a ministry of All Saints Lutheran Church. Join us in worship Saturday at 5 or Sunday at 9. This Sunday, to celebrate Vacation Bible School, there will be an ice cream social and raffle after Sunday worship.

ASLC Devotions - Wednesday

Mark 4:30-32  Jesus also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’

This is one of Jesus' most simple and straightforward parables. Which makes it awesome - because it's easy to remember and think about in life. A little thing can lead to something bigger and more wonderful than you can ever imagine. A mustard seed grows into a very large bush. That's what the kingdom of God is like.

The kingdom of God doesn't come into our world generally in light-flashing, fireworks kinds of ways. It comes in like a mustard seed. It comes in like a little child singing along at Vacation Bible School. It comes in like a patient teenage crew leader tending to a little flock of young ones so they too can learn that Jesus loves them. Mustard seeds are being planted all around. I can hardly wait to see how they blossom!

In Christ,
Pastor Seth

This is a ministry of All Saints Lutheran Church. Join us in worship Saturday at 5 or Sunday at 9. This Sunday, to celebrate Vacation Bible School, there will be an ice cream social and raffle after Sunday worship.

ASLC Devotions - Tuesday

Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.

As a congregation called All Saints Lutheran Church we have some unique spiritual opportunities. That is, whenever we think about our congregation and its name, or whenever we see the sign or the letterhead or what-have-you, we are called to remember All Saints. Paul told the people of Ephesus to keep praying for all the saints. I say the same thing to you today.

Pray in thanksgiving for the saints of the past who have shared this gospel message with us. When you think of All Saints, think of and thank God for St. Paul, St. Francis, St. Barnabas, Martin Luther, Martin Luther King, Jr. and all those in your own life who now rest in God. But also pray for all the saints - all the saints who still seek to walk in God's path on this earth. Pray for Saint Jennifer, Saint Troy, Saint Rosemary, and all the rest. It really matters.

In Christ,
Pastor Seth

This is a ministry of All Saints Lutheran Church. Join us in worship Saturday at 5 or Sunday at 9. This Sunday, to celebrate Vacation Bible School, there will be an ice cream social and raffle after Sunday worship.

ASLC Devotions - Monday

James 3:18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

From Gaza and Israel to Ukraine and Russia to Kenya to the streets of our cities to countless other places around the world, violence seems all around. I don't know if there's really more violence than there was, say, 30 years ago, or if we just know about it more. But it's there. And it raises in all of us a desire for peace. And a cry for peace. And a prayer for peace.

The biblical writer James knew this same desire and cry and prayer. And he also knew God's promise. In the Beatitudes as recorded in Matthew, Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall inherit the earth." James provides another promise - a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. When you make peace - when you pursue paths of peace in your own life and with those around you, there's a harvest of joy and righteousness and peace. How can you make peace today?

In Christ,
Pastor Seth

This is a ministry of All Saints Lutheran Church. Join us in worship Saturday at 5 or Sunday at 9. This Sunday, to celebrate Vacation Bible School, there will be an ice cream social and raffle after Sunday worship.

ASLC Devotions - Friday

Psalm 86:11-17

On a summer Friday, I think it's time simply to read a Psalm and let the praise of God given voice here become your praise.

¹¹ Teach me your way, O Lord,
   that I may walk in your truth;
   give me an undivided heart to revere your name. 
¹² I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
   and I will glorify your name for ever. 
¹³ For great is your steadfast love towards me;
   you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. 

¹⁴ O God, the insolent rise up against me;
   a band of ruffians seeks my life,
   and they do not set you before them. 
¹⁵ But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
   slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 
¹⁶ Turn to me and be gracious to me;
   give your strength to your servant;
   save the child of your serving-maid. 
¹⁷ Show me a sign of your favour,
   so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame,
   because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

This message is a ministry of All Saints Lutheran Church. To be removed (or added) to our mailing list, please reply via this email address. Worship with us this weekend: Holy Communion Saturday night at 5 and Sunday morning at 9.

ASLC Devotions - Thursday

Hebrews 2:9 but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Jesus didn't have to die. Jesus didn't even have to be born in a stinking cave and walk around dusty roads for 30-some years. He was sitting at the right hand of God through all eternity, in all comfort. He didn't have to do any of it. For a little while he was made lower than angels. Why?

So that he might taste death for everyone. So that we could be baptized into his death and resurrection. So that we could live. So that we could have eternal life, the life of the ages, the life that God intended for us but we mess up over and over with sin. The how of it all gets very confusing at times. But don't let the how confuse the facts: Jesus lowered himself and humbled himself so you could live. That's it. Enjoy the gift of life.

In Christ,
Pastor Seth

This message is a ministry of All Saints Lutheran Church. To be removed (or added) to our mailing list, please reply via this email address. Worship with us this weekend: Holy Communion Saturday night at 5 and Sunday morning at 9.