IN THIS SEASON

Welcome to In This Season, our series of daily devotions written by our pastors and members of our staff.

TODAY: APRIL 15, 2021

Today’s Devotion Written by Pastor Brenda Legred

Happy are those who….delight in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water. Psalm 1:1-3.

When I was young, I kept secret treasures inside my zipper Bible. In early years the inside cover held a feather, a Japanese fan, and a tiny troll with turquoise hair. Later, I kept a ruby ring from a bubble gum machine and a valentine from a boy I liked. Delicate, precious riches. As I got older I realized the most valuable treasures were on the pages inside my Bible.

Psalm 1:3 suggests that we are like trees planted by streams of water, given life and connection with the source of all life as we dwell in God’s Word. The Bible has a fresh word for even the most faithful Bible study goers. Whether you are new to scripture or an avid reader, you can be surprised by how relevant and contextual the Bible can be.

Martin Luther once said, “The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.” (Martin Luther—The Early Years, Christian History Magazine 2:34, Christianity Today International, 1993:28). Luther would smile and say the Gospels were the honeypot of the Bible. There we find the sweet treasure that is Jesus—his birth, his life, his death and his rising.

Luther said his least favorite book of the Bible was James. He thought it should never have been part of the New Testament. Yet, the book of James holds valuable truths and guidance for living a God-pleasing life.

No matter which scriptures speak to you, know that God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12a). Meditating on God’s Word we are like trees planted by streams of water, given life, purpose, and direction. What treasures will you find?

APRIL 14, 2021

Today’s Devotion Written by Cassandra Morgan

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

The snow is melted, green buds are beginning to sprout, and the cool Minnesota drizzle abounds; we have finally made it to spring! In this season of renewal and growth, let us journey forward through a soul renovation. Just as we clean up our winterized yards, set out the patio furniture and begin to plant our flower gardens, dig a little deeper this spring, and renovate your soul. God is in the reno business, and he is a master at taking what is broken down and tattered and transforming it into something new and incredible! We each have something to work on- an area to grow and stretch our current capabilities- let this be the season we take the first step towards a better, more Christ-like self.

“Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.” Deuteronomy 32:2 (NIV)

Just as the rain provides nourishment for our newly planted gardens, His words shower us with strength and sustenance for our own growth. On every cloudy day, there is sun that rises beyond the clouds. When the storms have passed, the sun will always shine again. Let this season be a time when we savor the nourishing storms, and we reflect with appreciation of the changes happening around us. Let God’s words flow through you, cover you, and envelop you, for every new day brings forth new life.

Gracious and loving God,
May Your words provide nourishment for our souls each day and grant us our own personal spring of the soul. Let us grow to be more Christlike each day, sprouting Your love throughout our colorful garden of humanity. Help us to see when others need nourishment and sunlight, that we might be gardeners of Your love. In Your heavenly name we pray, Amen.

APRIL 13, 2021

Today’s Devotion Written by Pastor Dave Olson

So faith comes from hearing…. Romans 10:17

Give ear and hear my voice, listen and hear my words. Isaiah 28:23

I am a firm believer that God listens to us. Out of love and concern, because of our dependence and vulnerability, God has attuned God’s ear to the world and the people God so loves. I also believe that naturally we have done more talking than listening to God. And, I believe our prayers grow deeply when they become a conversation where we strive to listen as well as speak.

Some people find setting aside a time or a place for prayer and minimizing distractions helps them in their listening. I would suggest, however, that the Bible shows God communicating regularly in the course of daily tasks and through the people we meet. Listening to God involves listening to your life with the ears of faith, listening to the movement of God in the words and stories of others, listening for God’s voice out in the world rising up above the din of all others.

Listening to God, we find that our prayers become less transactional…less “do this for me”….and more about aligning our wills with God’s will. They become less about God solving our problems or making our lives easier and more about being open to God’s leading, knowing God’s presence and care, more about being faithful and grateful, more about sharing our love for the One who so loves us.

PRAYER Lord, hear our prayers. And as we move through this day, open our ears to hear and our eyes to see You. Open our eyes to see and our ears to hear the people crossing our path in ways that honor You and honor them. Thank you for listening, loving and leading me. AMEN.

APRIL 12, 2021

Today’s Devotion Written by Andrea Fieldhouse Griner

Well, Easter is over. I hope it was a celebration for you, filled with joy in the resurrection and the promise of new life. My Easter happened with varying degrees of success. The best part of Easter… it happens! But now we are back to the everyday. I have included below a part of my Easter Vigil sermon because Easter isn’t over, it’s still happening, and we are a part of it in a most glorious way!

“…because the resurrection is not only a one day happening, the light of the world is here to stay!!! An Episcopal pastor named Teri Daily talks of little resurrections and how they don’t generally happen in big shiny loud moments, but in the ordinary of every day. These little resurrections are the people and the times that shine a light and bring hope and life to our lives.”

Yesterday a little resurrection came to my door! My friend Anne Groton sent me a lovely book! Just what I needed in the midst of a day! My heart smiled, because I love to read, the book looks amazing and a friend thought of me. That is Easter alive and well.

Who are your resurrection people? What brings new life to you? Who are those in need of a little resurrection moment in their life? We are blessed because we are people of the resurrection and resurrection people! Let’s make Easter shine.

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