Sunday, February 7
By, Ellen Swenson

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Luke 4:21

Over the years, comedians were known for their one-liners. Audiences anticipated the genius of the way jokes rolled off their silver tongues with effortless ease. The one holding center stage knew what would bring out the biggest response from a captive audience.

It was like that when Jesus spoke to the multitudes and the curious and the learned men in the synagogue. His words captivated all those whose ears were waiting to hear the good news. They may have felt short-changed with his one-liners. Was it because they did not understand that scripture was being fulfilled? Or, perhaps they expected another, completely different response from Jesus? Fast forwarding to us today...do we expect our preconceived answer to our most fervent and sincere prayers?

Let's ask ourselves how we think scripture is fulfilled for us - or more fittingly, how does Jesus daily fulfill our lives for us. Perhaps, just perhaps, the answer might lighten the load we place on ourselves. We may come to understand that Jesus has already unburdened us, and has freed us from our own enslavement.

Jesus, you know the way for us. Lead us always back to you, that we may be part of your plan for us. Amen

Monday, February 8
By, Pat Peltz

Love All Around

We are assured and know that all things work together and are good to and for those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose. Romans 8:28

Once a month my circle, Love Circle, meets at church. It’s been a long time since I met with them and so cleared my calendar to join them this month. What an embracing and awakening experience awaited me. We are following the Lutheran Women’s Bible Study of Romans.

We read from the Bible and the written lesson for Romans 8 together. It was like reading it for the first time – that we are all accepted by our Jesus with no condemnation. Everyone receives light and life because of our Lord. We are even able to live within God’s peace through many almost seemingly impossibilities. Our discussion was open and honest. We shared our separate and yet mutual journeys. We laughed, discussed, and even dared to disagree and to not necessarily come to identical conclusions. The Lord uses this experience and this group of women to always bless my life.

Do you have a group that you belong to? I am sure there is a group that would welcome you, that will support you and encourage you. Reach out – they are waiting for you as you are awaiting for them.

Open yourself to love and be loved. It is God’s way.

Tuesday, February 9
By, Dora Jane Swanson
Calvary, Rapid River

2 Corinthians l:3-4

What a wonderful God we have - he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.

How do we comfort each other?
The touch of someone's hand on our shoulder ...
When someone's eyes meet ours and we hear them say,
"The peace of the Lord be with you" ...
The gift of listening – listening and hearing what not only our words,
but our heart is saying ...
When someone allows the tear to fall from our eye – and they are gentle –
sharing God's promise of hope ...
When someone says, "I'll pray for you" ...
And as we witness to each other – what our awesome God has done for us ...

Prayer: Thank you God for your gentle comfort and bold strength which we can always count on – knowing your promises are forever. Amen

Wednesday, February 10
By, Jo Skogman

"For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

As I write this devotion I'm thinking of the terrible mass destruction and death caused by the recent earthquake in Haiti. Beyond the mass destruction I'm also thinking, with a heavy heart, about one gifted twenty-five year old man, who was killed in the earthquake. His name was Ben.

I've known Ben since he was a little boy tagging along with his dad to spouse gatherings when the bishops of the ELCA met each March. Ben's dad, one of the rare male bishop's spouses, was comfortable among a predominantly woman's group and Ben was comfortable with his dad.

I've followed Ben's progress as he graduated from college and enrolled at Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, IA to become a pastor. I last saw Ben in May of 2008 as he led music for the graduation of my son-in-law from the seminary. He was gifted in so many ways: musician, husband, friend, faithful follower of Jesus to whom he witnessed with joy.

Ben was on a mission trip to Haiti with his wife and his cousin when the quake struck and he was crushed to death under the pillars of the orphanage where he was serving. As life slowly ebbed out of Ben's body his wife and cousin heard him singing. Yes, singing praises to the God whom he loved! His last words were these "God's peace to us we pray."

As a member of the Love Circle at First Lutheran, Gladstone, we've been studying Romans 8. Now, as I reflect on this scripture, I also reflect on Ben and the words "Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God, in Christ Jesus, our Lord." Go, Ben, singing all the way into the arms of Jesus.

Prayer: Dear God, in a tempestuous and strife ridden world, help us to remember that nothing can separate us from you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, February 11
By, Velma Schmidt

Psalm.37: 23,24

The Lord guides a man in the way he should go and protects those who please Him. If they fall, they will not stay down, because the Lord will help them up.

My three year old grandson and I went shopping at a Target store. He made a beeline to the bakery department and I soon found out why – they give a cookie to each child. I had to lead him away and watch him to keep him safe. At home the nine month old twins were trying to crawl. Frequently they fell over and I had to help them sit up, just to try again.

We are just like little children. We want to go our own way – hurrying to the "cookie" that entices us. But the Lord will guide and protect us if we give ourselves to Him. And yes, we fall, and by ourselves are not able to right ourselves. The Lord promises we will not stay down, He will help us up and keep us safe. Thanks be to God!

In the midst of our desire to do our own thing, keep us mindful that we are not alone, that we have a loving God who watches us and protects us especially when we fall and cannot get up. Amen

Friday, February 12
By, Pat Peltz

A time for …

To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

This is a comforting and remarkable portion of our Bible, God’s special words to us, His children. These verses remind us that life will change, there will be ups and downs, and that our way of life will always have an unexpected turn.

Eight years ago I moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This is a place that gives many opportunities a time for …

- a time to shovel and a time to stop shoveling
- a time to turn the heat up and a time to dial down
- a time to spread deicer on the ice and a time to let the sun melt the walks and driveway
- a time for adding more layers of clothing and a time for only one warm shirt
- a time for hot coffee and a time for cool water

Many of you too are experiencing twists, turns, and changes in your life. Take some time to read and reread this portion of scripture as I have learned to do over many years. I believe that you too will be reminded that where you are, is where God is, and God is within you. At times there is hardship and times of rest. Times to learn new things and times to appreciate what you have learned. A time to bear down and a time to work less. Wherever you are, celebrate God’s precious presence in your life – that where you are, you may be content within God’s presence.

Lord, thank you for new time, renewed time and for our coming of eternal time. Amen

Saturday, February 13
By, Ellen Swenson

Hebrews 12:2

... fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith ...

Have you ever attempted to write the story of your life? If not, you might ask why. Too big a task? Too boring? Or, who wants to know?

This passage tells us about Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. Jesus took on the most trying of tasks, going to the cross, to die for our sins. Is it beyond our comprehension? Because He cared so much for us, that we might know Him, follow Him, and be His disciples, going to the cross became His task, and His, alone.

Perhaps our lives include boring moments, but everything in Scripture, about Jesus, refutes such talk of boredom. Jesus wants us to know Him, just like your life story is already known to Him. It does not end right there. As our life story continues to unfold, it includes others who know you, who know Jesus.

What more do we need? We need to continue to know the author and perfecter of faith.

Jesus, we struggle with daily encounters in our pursuit of inaccessible things. Direct our thoughts to you, that we may live faithfully. May our ears listen to you, may our hearts respond to your plan for us. Amen.