Monday, August 3 John 4:27-30 Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” They left the city and were on their way to him. This week we’re going to look at stories of strong women—women who are role models for any of us, no matter what our gender. Jesus had the courage to confront stereotypes—and in this story he confronted a stereotype that a Samaritan woman should not be spoken to by a Jewish man. The disciples came late into this story. Jesus and this woman had been talking for a while. We learn from the conversation that the woman was a Samaritan and that she had five husbands. Jesus shared that the man with whom she was living was not her husband. Jesus never judged the woman—but the assumption underneath the story was that she was sexually promiscuous. Whether she was or not is not shared. Jesus cared for this woman. He offered her living water - water that would spring up to eternal life. His message was not just for the elite of the world. He cared for her, no matter what her background. He was willing to confront a stereotype to help her. What stereotypes in the world about women do you think it’s important to confront? Please share. Tuesday, August 4 1 Samuel 1:12-18 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went her way and ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer 1 Samuel 2:1-10 Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies because I rejoice in your victory. There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly; let not arrogance come from your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low; he also exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord ’s, and on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked will perish in darkness, for not by might does one prevail. The Lord ! His adversaries will be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed.” If you have the time, read all of chapters one and two in 1 Samuel. We learn about the strength of Hannah. Hannah was not willing to accept the words spoken by a man that she knew were not true. Eli had made an assumption about Hannah. His assumption was that Hannah was drunk. Hannah knew this was not true and told him. Hannah had the courage to stand up for herself despite a male in authority trying to bring her down. Hannah went on to have a son, Samuel. This was quite amazing as at the start of the story she wasn’t able to have children. The vision that Hannah shared in the first ten verses of the second chapter is an amazing vision that is relevant across time. Part of the vision is when the poor are lifted up from their status to be on the same plane as the rich and princes. It’s as if people who are homeless are given full love and mercy. We wouldn’t know of this vision unless Hannah had stood up for herself by speaking the truth to Eli. Who is/are a female(s) do you know who would speak the truth no matter what the consequences? Please share.

Monday, August 3 John 4:27-30 Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” They left the city and were on their way to him. This week we’re going to look at stories of strong women—women who are role models for any of us, no matter what our gender. Jesus had the courage to confront stereotypes—and in this story he confronted a stereotype that a Samaritan woman should not be spoken to by a Jewish man. The disciples came late into this story. Jesus and this woman had been talking for a while. We learn from the conversation that the woman was a Samaritan and that she had five husbands. Jesus shared that the man with whom she was living was not her husband. Jesus never judged the woman—but the assumption underneath the story was that she was sexually promiscuous. Whether she was or not is not shared. Jesus cared for this woman. He offered her living water - water that would spring up to eternal life. His message was not just for the elite of the world. He cared for her, no matter what her background. He was willing to confront a stereotype to help her. What stereotypes in the world about women do you think it’s important to confront? Please share. Tuesday, August 4 1 Samuel 1:12-18 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went her way and ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer 1 Samuel 2:1-10 Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies because I rejoice in your victory. There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly; let not arrogance come from your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low; he also exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord ’s, and on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked will perish in darkness, for not by might does one prevail. The Lord ! His adversaries will be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed.” If you have the time, read all of chapters one and two in 1 Samuel. We learn about the strength of Hannah. Hannah was not willing to accept the words spoken by a man that she knew were not true. Eli had made an assumption about Hannah. His assumption was that Hannah was drunk. Hannah knew this was not true and told him. Hannah had the courage to stand up for herself despite a male in authority trying to bring her down. Hannah went on to have a son, Samuel. This was quite amazing as at the start of the story she wasn’t able to have children. The vision that Hannah shared in the first ten verses of the second chapter is an amazing vision that is relevant across time. Part of the vision is when the poor are lifted up from their status to be on the same plane as the rich and princes. It’s as if people who are homeless are given full love and mercy. We wouldn’t know of this vision unless Hannah had stood up for herself by speaking the truth to Eli. Who is/are a female(s) do you know who would speak the truth no matter what the consequences? Please share.

Monday, July 27 Isaiah 40:27-31 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted, but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Yesterday Pastor Paul continued his summer sermon series called “Road Trip” by talking about being weary. We might have times when we are weary on our faith journey. Our weariness is more than just physical. We are spiritually tired. These verses from Isaiah are a marvelous response to being spiritually weary. The chapter signifies a significant break in the book of Isaiah. It was written for people who had been exiled. Great pain had happened to a great number of people. This is why chapter 40 starts out with the words, “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.” God was sharing comfort in this chapter. Today’s verses share a response to being spiritually weary. The response is to continue to wait for the Lord. When we wait for the Lord and not give up, we have the possibility of having our strength renewed. To paraphrase the last part of verse 31, on our journey of faith we can run and not be weary, walk and not be faint. Waiting for the Lord is hard. It requires patience, faith, and the ability to hope. What does waiting for the Lord mean to you? Have you had a time when you were waiting for the Lord? What happened? Please share. Tuesday, July 28 Isaiah 43:22-24 Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel! You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings or honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings or wearied you with frankincense. You have not bought me sweet cane with money or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. Rather, you have burdened me with your sins; you have wearied me with your iniquities. When the people of Israel and Judah went into exile a rupture took place between God and them. This was a significant crisis of faith for the people. God addressed this crisis in these verses. God felt that the people had abandoned God. Despite all the warnings about what might happen if the people turn away from practicing their faith, the people still turned away. God felt that the people had grown weary of the divine. We can feel the pain of God in these verses. God was not a dispassionate observer of what happened in the world. To use a human term, God experienced emotions. God was sad. And God was weary of the people’s turning away from the divine. We read about this in the last verse. What are your thoughts about this passage? Please share. Wednesday, July 29 Isaiah 50:4-11 The Lord God has given me a trained tongue, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens, wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand in court together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant, who walks in darkness and has no light, yet trusts in the name of the Lord and relies upon his God? But all of you are kindlers of fire, lighters of firebrands. Walk in the flame of your fire and among the brands that you have kindled! This is what you shall have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment. These verses are complimenting God for helping the servant (Isaiah) in reaching out to people who are weary. In Isaiah we read four passages that are described as servant songs. We can find them in Isaiah 42:1-4, Isaiah 50:4-11, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, and this reading. God did this by making the divine presence known. The servant had great confidence in God despite the weariness that had been experienced. The Lord God had helped the servant avoid being disgraced (verse 7). The Lord God had How helped the servant (verse 9). Because of these experiences the servant could encourage others to follow God. “Walk in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that you have kindled!” wrote the servant. The relationship brought significant energy! What are your thoughts about this passage? Please share.

Monday, July 27 Isaiah 40:27-31 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted, but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Yesterday Pastor Paul continued his summer sermon series called “Road Trip” by talking about being weary. We might have times when we are weary on our faith journey. Our weariness is more than just physical. We are spiritually tired. These verses from Isaiah are a marvelous response to being spiritually weary. The chapter signifies a significant break in the book of Isaiah. It was written for people who had been exiled. Great pain had happened to a great number of people. This is why chapter 40 starts out with the words, “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.” God was sharing comfort in this chapter. Today’s verses share a response to being spiritually weary. The response is to continue to wait for the Lord. When we wait for the Lord and not give up, we have the possibility of having our strength renewed. To paraphrase the last part of verse 31, on our journey of faith we can run and not be weary, walk and not be faint. Waiting for the Lord is hard. It requires patience, faith, and the ability to hope. What does waiting for the Lord mean to you? Have you had a time when you were waiting for the Lord? What happened? Please share.

Monday, July 20 Mark 9:14 When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them and some scribes arguing with them. This week we will do a Bible Study on the Scripture that was read this past Sunday—Mark 9:14-29. In this story we hear about Jesus healing a boy and the response of the father of the boy. We can also find the story in Matthew 17:14-20 & Luke 9:37-43a. We read more detail in Mark’s telling of the story than in the other two gospels. Jesus and his closest followers, Peter, John, and James had just come down from the mountain. They had a powerful experience in the story of the Transfiguration. The events were so powerful that Peter did not want to come down from the mountain. He wanted to stay to continue to enjoy the experience. But if Jesus and his closest followers had not come down from the mountain, this healing of the boy would have never taken place. When Jesus and his followers came upon this scene, a large crowd was arguing with the scribes. We are not told the details of the argument, but we can make educated guesses. The scribes were a group of people who were part of the religious establishment. Scribes were well educated. Their profession was to write down and study the Torah. We can infer that the scribes and the crowd had a disagreement or argument about faith. The scribes had a narrow view of who could be religious. Have you found yourself having an argument about faith? This argument would be more than a discussion—it was a passionate conversation where you disagreed with another person. What was the argument like? What was at stake for you in the argument? Please share. Tuesday, July 21 Mark 9:15-18 When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak, and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid, and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.” The crowds were thrilled to see Jesus. They were overcome with awe and ran forward to greet him. Jesus was welcomed like a hero who was coming to rescue people. The problem of this story is shared in the verses we read today. A young boy had a spirit that was causing him harm. He couldn’t speak; when he was “seized,” he foamed at the mouth and ground his teeth and became rigid . (Mark 9:18) He was probably suffering from epilepsy. Mark and others did not have the scientific knowledge that you and I have access to now. They thought the boy had a spirit who caused these actions. The disciples were not able to heal the boy. But they could have. Imagine being the father of the boy and having to live with the seizures. It had to be oppressive. We might have had stories of living with the health concerns of our children. Do you have a story of responding to the health concerns of your children or a story of another adult responding to the health concerns of their children? Please share. Wednesday, July 22 Mark 9:19 He answered them, “You faithless generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” The response of Jesus to the disciple’s inability to heal the boy is odd. Jesus criticized a generation of people for their lack of faith. He wondered aloud how long he was going to have to be with this faithless generation. To say that the general group of people seems harsh. But perhaps it was a prelude of the death of Jesus. Jesus was killed because of lack of faith; most of the disciples fled when Jesus was killed—another example of lack of faith. What Jesus said was true—the wider culture did lack faith. But the tone of his words was not consistent with the loving and compassionate Jesus that many of us have come to know. Jesus uttered almost the same words in Mark 8:12 when the Pharisees asked him for a sign from heaven. That response by Jesus seems more appropriate. He criticized the Pharisees for asking for a sign. What are your thoughts about this verse? Please share.

Monday, July 20 Mark 9:14 When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them and some scribes arguing with them. This week we will do a Bible Study on the Scripture that was read this past Sunday—Mark 9:14-29. In this story we hear about Jesus healing a boy and the response of the father of the boy. We can also find the story in Matthew 17:14-20 & Luke 9:37-43a. We read more detail in Mark’s telling of the story than in the other two gospels. Jesus and his closest followers, Peter, John, and James had just come down from the mountain. They had a powerful experience in the story of the Transfiguration. The events were so powerful that Peter did not want to come down from the mountain. He wanted to stay to continue to enjoy the experience. But if Jesus and his closest followers had not come down from the mountain, this healing of the boy would have never taken place. When Jesus and his followers came upon this scene, a large crowd was arguing with the scribes. We are not told the details of the argument, but we can make educated guesses. The scribes were a group of people who were part of the religious establishment. Scribes were well educated. Their profession was to write down and study the Torah. We can infer that the scribes and the crowd had a disagreement or argument about faith. The scribes had a narrow view of who could be religious. Have you found yourself having an argument about faith? This argument would be more than a discussion—it was a passionate conversation where you disagreed with another person. What was the argument like? What was at stake for you in the argument? Please share.

Monday, July 13 Read Numbers 11:10-15 This week we’re going to look at stories of people who were upset with God. On the surface this might seem to be a depressing topic—for who wants to learn more about being upset with God. But this topic does help us learn more about our own faith. We might have had times when we were upset with God. Hopefully these times don’t last and don’t make a long-term impact on our faith. In this story Moses was very upset. He was tired of dealing with the complaints of the Israelites. The complains were justified. They were tired of eating manna—they wanted to eat meat and not just bread. God became upset with the people because of the complaints of the Israelites. Moses became upset because God was upset. Moses was overwhelmed by the tasks that he thought he needed to accomplish. And he didn’t believe that he should be blamed for the complaints of the people. He didn’t conceive the people; he didn’t give birth to the people. The task of finding enough meat for people to eat was impossible. Moses recognized that he was not able to carry out the leadership tasks that were needed. He wanted to quit from being the leader. The good news is Moses didn’t stay in this place. Part of the reason is God answered the prayer of Moses. The Lord sent seventy people to work with Moses. Moses didn’t need to feel alone anymore. Have you had times when you were overwhelmed and took out your emotion on God? Please share.

Monday, July 13 Read Numbers 11:10-15 This week we’re going to look at stories of people who were upset with God. On the surface this might seem to be a depressing topic—for who wants to learn more about being upset with God. But this topic does help us learn more about our own faith. We might have had times when we were upset with God. Hopefully these times don’t last and don’t make a long-term impact on our faith. In this story Moses was very upset. He was tired of dealing with the complaints of the Israelites. The complains were justified. They were tired of eating manna—they wanted to eat meat and not just bread. God became upset with the people because of the complaints of the Israelites. Moses became upset because God was upset. Moses was overwhelmed by the tasks that he thought he needed to accomplish. And he didn’t believe that he should be blamed for the complaints of the people. He didn’t conceive the people; he didn’t give birth to the people. The task of finding enough meat for people to eat was impossible. Moses recognized that he was not able to carry out the leadership tasks that were needed. He wanted to quit from being the leader. The good news is Moses didn’t stay in this place. Part of the reason is God answered the prayer of Moses. The Lord sent seventy people to work with Moses. Moses didn’t need to feel alone anymore. Have you had times when you were overwhelmed and took out your emotion on God? Please share.

Monday, July 6 Exodus 15:1-18 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he cast into the sea; his elite officers were sunk in the Red Sea. The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power— your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you overthrew your adversaries; you sent out your fury; it consumed them like stubble. At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, ‘I will pursue; I will overtake; I will divide the spoil; my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’ You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed; you guided them by your strength to your holy abode. The peoples heard; they trembled; pangs seized the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed; trembling seized the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away. Terror and dread fell upon them; by the might of your arm, they became still as a stone until your people, O Lord, passed by, until the people whom you acquired passed by. You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession, the place, O Lord, that you made your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established. The Lord will reign forever and ever.” This week we’re going to look at different prayers in the Bible. This is a prayer of praise that Moses shared after Pharaoh and his armies were drowned in the Nile. This is a prayer of someone who received something that was unexpected. Moses and his followers were most likely terribly afraid while being pursued by Pharaoh and his armies. Then God suddenly rescued Moses. Moses then shared this prayer of praise. Look closely at verses two and eleven. Read these verses over in your mind. Consider writing down these verses and reading them during your day. As you pray today, remember a time when you received something that was very unexpected. What are your thoughts about this prayer? Please share.

Monday, July 6 Exodus 15:1-18 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he cast into the sea; his elite officers were sunk in the Red Sea. The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power— your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you overthrew your adversaries; you sent out your fury; it consumed them like stubble. At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, ‘I will pursue; I will overtake; I will divide the spoil; my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’ You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed; you guided them by your strength to your holy abode. The peoples heard; they trembled; pangs seized the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed; trembling seized the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away. Terror and dread fell upon them; by the might of your arm, they became still as a stone until your people, O Lord, passed by, until the people whom you acquired passed by. You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession, the place, O Lord, that you made your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established. The Lord will reign forever and ever.” This week we’re going to look at different prayers in the Bible. This is a prayer of praise that Moses shared after Pharaoh and his armies were drowned in the Nile. This is a prayer of someone who received something that was unexpected. Moses and his followers were most likely terribly afraid while being pursued by Pharaoh and his armies. Then God suddenly rescued Moses. Moses then shared this prayer of praise. Look closely at verses two and eleven. Read these verses over in your mind. Consider writing down these verses and reading them during your day. As you pray today, remember a time when you received something that was very unexpected. What are your thoughts about this prayer? Please share.

Monday, June 29 Exodus 13:17-22 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer, for God thought, “If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people by the roundabout way of the wilderness bordering the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of the land of Egypt prepared for battle. And Moses took with him the bones of Joseph, who had required a solemn oath of the Israelites, saying, “God will surely come to you, and then you must carry my bones with you from here.” They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. The LORD went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. This past Sunday Pastor Paul began a new sermon series called, “Road Trip.” He is looking at different parts of a road trip to reflect on what we can learn about faith. In this story, the Israelites began their road trip out of Egypt. To call their journey a road trip might seem a bit trite. But this was the start of their long journey. What is interesting is that God was invested in their success. God was willing to provide direction to the Israelites. God went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Can you imagine what this must have been like to see a pillar of cloud lead you during the day and a pillar of cloud by night? Each of us is on a journey. And though we are not being led by a pillar of clouds or a pillar of fire, we are still being led. God wants to lead each of us. When have there been times that you have felt especially by led by God on your faith journey? Please share. (The week continues with additional daily readings and reflections.)

Monday, June 29 Exodus 13:17-22 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer, for God thought, “If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people by the roundabout way of the wilderness bordering the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of the land of Egypt prepared for battle. And Moses took with him the bones of Joseph, who had required a solemn oath of the Israelites, saying, “God will surely come to you, and then you must carry my bones with you from here.” They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. The LORD went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. This past Sunday Pastor Paul began a new sermon series called, “Road Trip.” He is looking at different parts of a road trip to reflect on what we can learn about faith. In this story, the Israelites began their road trip out of Egypt. To call their journey a road trip might seem a bit trite. But this was the start of their long journey. What is interesting is that God was invested in their success. God was willing to provide direction to the Israelites. God went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Can you imagine what this must have been like to see a pillar of cloud lead you during the day and a pillar of cloud by night? Each of us is on a journey. And though we are not being led by a pillar of clouds or a pillar of fire, we are still being led. God wants to lead each of us. When have there been times that you have felt especially by led by God on your faith journey? Please share. (The week continues with additional daily readings and reflections.)

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Weekly Devotions for Everyday Faith

Spiritual growth doesn't only happen on Sundays.

These weekly devotions are designed to help you stay grounded in Scripture throughout the week - with readings, reflections, and simple prompts for prayer.

Whether you're part of our church community or simply exploring faith, these devotions are open to you.

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Current Weekly Devotions

Each week, Chain of Lakes Church shares a collection of daily Scripture readings, reflections, and prayer prompts designed to help you engage with your faith throughout the week.

These devotions are written to encourage thoughtful reflection, honest questions, and practical ways to connect faith with everyday life. Whether you attend worship regularly or are simply exploring spirituality, we invite you to spend a few minutes each day in Scripture and prayer.

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Daily Devotions September 7 - September 12

Monday, September 7

Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

This week we will look at some passages that use the word, “new.” In his sermon this past Sunday, Pastor Paul talked about what it means to be a “new” creation.

One way to think of the idea of “new” is with the question, “what is different?” The Apostle Paul responded to this question in the letter called 2 Corinthians.

What was different for him is in verse 16. “From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view.” Combine this verse with what the Apostle Paul shared in verse 14 that “the love of Christ urges us on.”

Seeing people through the lens of the love of Christ was very new. People are not encouraged to see people through self-interest, or what that other could do to help the person viewing. This really was a new paradigm of seeing the world.

All of us have a long way to go to live in this way of seeing the world. With wars, poverty, and violence a daily part of reality, we understand that the love of Christ is a long way from being part of the culture.

However, this need not discourage us from seeing others through the lens of “the love of Christ.”

Try an experiment. Be extra intentional today or tomorrow about seeing others through the lens of the love of Christ. How do you think your day would be new? Or share a time that you’ve done this. How was your day new? Please share.

Tuesday, September 8

Read Isaiah 43:18-21

The people of Israel were in exile, and God was going to help them out of that terrible place. God was going to do something new.

This idea of something new was needed. The people of Israel were in great pain. They had been forced to leave their homes; many had died in the transition; they were living under the authority of a foreign ruler.

But God had not forgotten them—though the people must have felt forgotten. And God told them that God had not forgotten them by telling them that something new was going to happen.

Sometimes just the possibility of something new can give people motivation for “hanging in” when they are going through hard times. Knowing that the current hard time does not have to have the final word can be motivating.

Have you had a time when you were discouraged and then received a word that gave you hope for something new? Perhaps the time is too painful to share—but perhaps not. At the very least talk to God about that season in your life and share what you learned about that season with God.

Wednesday, September 9

Read Revelation 21:1-5

The book of Revelation shared a vision of a new heaven and a new earth. It is important not to take the book literally as some have done. To do this makes the book a source of pain instead of a source of hope. The point is that God was going to create something new—God was going to create a new Jerusalem. And when the phrase “new Jerusalem” was used, it was not referring to new city. It was a new era where the current pain that the people were experiencing would no longer exist.

And the people who read this letter were in great pain. They had been persecuted terribly. Many had died. It would have easy to give up on God.

But even amidst the pain, God shared through this letter that a new creation would happen.

The context of this description of a new heaven and new earth is like the context of the nation of Israel who were in exile.

What are your thoughts about this passage? Please share.

Thursday, September 10

Read John 13:31-35

This new commandment is one that is discussed often at Chain of Lakes. Jesus called people to love one another. People’s love for others would reflect the love that Jesus had for the people.

This was a paradigm shift.

This newness was not the newness of a product or the newness of an idea. It was a way of life that would distinguish the followers of Jesus. They would no longer be known by how well they were following the law. Now they would be known by how much they loved each other.

As was discussed in the Tuesday devotion, the world is a long way into living this out. If this “new” commandment was a part of our culture, wars would cease, gun deaths would stop, and poverty would be decreased.

Each of us can’t end war, stop gun deaths, or eliminate poverty, though we can be known by how much we love each other.

What are some ways that you can live into this “new” commandment today? How would it be for you if your love led others to know that you are a disciple or follower of God? Please share.

Friday, September 11

Read Galatians 6:11-16

The “newness” that Paul was talking about here was that circumcision was no longer a distinguishing characteristic of following God. To even think that this was the case undoubtedly seems very odd. But in Genesis 17 God told Abraham that circumcision was a sign of the covenant.

Paul shared that this was no longer the case. Through the letter called Galatians he shared that by not needing to be circumcised people would experience freedom. They were not bound to an act of faith. Now what was most important was faith working through love. (Galatians 5:6)

This was quite new. The old ways of following were no longer needed or taught anymore.

This certainly was not a message that was received by everyone. Some clung to the “old” ways of following God. They were not ready to receive a new teaching.

How open are you to new expressions of faith? Do you cling to past ways of following? Do you like to try new ways of being a disciple? Please share.

Saturday, September 12

Read Ephesians 2:11-16

The writer of Ephesians shared a similar message to what we read about yesterday. God had cut down the distinguishing characteristics of what it meant to follow—in this case circumcision. Now there was not a group who followed the law and a group who did not follow the law. Instead, there was one group who were connected to each other because of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

This was quite new.

And this idea is still new. Though written thousands of years ago the writer of Ephesians expressed what we can experience in faith today. And it can be new.

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Daily Devotions August 31 - September 5

Monday, August 31

Read Genesis 1:26-28

This past Sunday Pastor Paul began a new series about creation. In his sermon he looked at what makes a person a child of God.

The answer to this question is in these three verses. God and the heavenly court declared that humans would be made in the image and likeness of God. Humans are a reflection of God.

It is not that humans look like God. Instead, humans represent God in earth. A bit later in this chapter God tells humans to have dominion over the earth. This has been misinterpreted as domination; rather humans are asked to represent God to be stewards on earth. Not that humans are God, of course. But humans carry the image of God within them. This gives humans the authority and responsibility to treat others and the earth as God would have others and the earth treated.

Another phrase that has been used to describe the image of God is “Imago Dei.” This is a Latin phrase that means image of God.

This past Sunday Penelope Kirchner was baptized. In baptism the Spirit of God is infused within a person. The Holy Spirit is God, and the Holy Spirit reveals the image of God. Being baptized allows people to claim the image of God.

What does it mean to you that you carry the image of God within you?

Tuesday, September 1

Read Genesis 5:1-3

In these verses the writers of Genesis shared one of the first genealogies in the Bible. We read that Seth carried the image of his father, Adam, with him.

Many of us might look like our parents and have characteristics of our parents with us. We carry a “piece” of our parents with us.

The same idea applies to carrying the image of God. Each of us carries a “piece” of God with us.

How exciting and meaningful that we never have to ask God to be present to us. God is present to us. Asking God to be present is like asking our skin to be present. We always have skin; just as we always have God with us.

Carrying this image of God forms our identity as children of God. We are a child of God just as we are a child of our parents. We carry a “piece” of them with us.

What does it mean to you to say that you are a child of God? Please share.

Wednesday, September 2

Read Genesis 9:1-6

God told Noah in these verses that Noah and humans were never to shed the blood or kill another person. This makes sense to us. One of the Commandments is “Thou shall not murder or kill.”

It might seem silly to ask the question, “why a person would not murder or kill.” The reason is in verse six. Every person carries the image of God with them. When the person is killed, it is as if God is being killed.

Sometimes seeing the image of God in another person is difficult. That person acts in ways that are contrary to the desires of God. Another person might do things that are evil or very hurtful to us. It might appear that the person does not deserve to be thought of as carrying the image of God.

However, even when a person does evil that person still carries the image of God. Even if the image is not shining brightly through a person that person still carries the image with them.

What do these ideas mean to you? Please share.

Thursday, September 3

Read Romans 8:12-17

These verses are part of one of the most significant chapters in the Bible—Romans 8. In these five verses we see what it means to be a child of God.

To live as a child of God means that the Spirit directs the person—the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, which lives within each person, becomes the animating feature of a person’s decision making. A person acts according to what the person believes the Holy Spirit would have the person do.

This certainly is not easy! Much of the time we do not know what the Holy Spirit would have us do. We might make decisions on a whim or without thinking. But truly God wants us to be led by the Holy Spirit to make the decisions in our life.

This decision-making process truly begins with prayer. Sharing the prayer, “Holy Spirit lead me all that I do today” is a terrific way to live into being a child of God.

If you have not already, do you think you could incorporate this prayer into our daily living? You could write the prayer in a place that you see often. You could set an alarm to pray this prayer when your alarm goes off.

Can you incorporate this prayer into your daily living?

Friday, September 4

Read 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

The Apostle Paul shared in these verses how humans are transformed into the image of God. When we follow God and are led by the Holy Spirit this image of God that is inside of us becomes clearer. Others can see the image of God. We claim the image of God more easily.

This takes focus and commitment for each of us to practice our faith. We attend worship, we read the Bible, we serve, we pray, we give our money away. Each of these faith activities allow the image of God that is within us to be seen clearly.

Transformation can certainly be hard. We might have periods or seasons in our own life that the image of God becomes blurrier. And vice versa we might have periods or seasons in our own life that the image of God becomes clearer.

Can you identify seasons in your own life that the image of God became either blurrier or clearer? Please share.

Saturday, September 5

Read Luke 10:25-28

To clearly share the image of God we are called to love. We love God with our whole being, and we love our neighbor as we love ourselves. This agape love allows the Imago Dei to be clearly seen within us.

Each of us has times in our life when the image of God was seen very clearly and perhaps even recognized by others.

Do you have a story when another person recognized the image of God within you? That you were able to love God clearly and love your neighbor as you love yourself.

If you have had these seasons in your life, share a bit about the season and how the image of God within you became clearer.

Daily Devotions August 24 - August 29

Monday, August 24

Read Psalm 139:1

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me.” (Psalm 139:1) So begins Psalm 139, a Psalm that Pastor Paul described as the second most important Psalm in the Bible. It is only behind Psalm 23 in its significance. This week in the devotion we will have the opportunity to go deeper into the meaning of this classic faith statement.

The Psalm starts out by sharing that God has searched us and knows us.

One way to understand search is to reflect on a Google search. Type in a word or statement in Google and you have hundreds of millions of responses. God searches us—all thirty-seven trillion cells in our body. Not only that, but God searches our personality, our gifts—every part that makes us human.

Not only does God search us, but God also knows us. God is familiar with every part of us. God knows or is familiar with all thirty-seven trillion cells in our body.

It is not surprising that the author of Psalm 139 said that this level of knowledge by God is so high—we cannot attain it.

What does it mean to you that God knows you so well? How does God’s knowledge of you make an impact in your own life? Please share.

Tuesday, August 25

Read Psalm 139:1-6

The writer of Psalm 139 went on to describe a few ways that God knows us. God knows what we say, God knows our thoughts; God is acquainted with all our ways.

God’s knowledge of each of us is a reason to be in a relationship with God—the entire Trinity—Father, Son, Holy Spirit; God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.

Even if we do not acknowledge God’s presence, God is still present with us. Even if we do not want to be in relationship with God, God is in relationship with us.

Pastor Paul has shared in the past that it is in our own self-interest to be in a relationship with God. Life can be so difficult and hard that it hardly makes sense to go through life without the help of God. Why would we want to do that?

Believing in God and having a relationship with God are not precisely the same. We can believe that God exists, but we might not want to be in relationship with God.

How are you doing in your own relationship with God? What are some ways that you would like to grow in your relationship with God? Please share.

Wednesday, August 26

Read Psalm 139:6

“Such knowledge [that God has of us] is so high that we cannot attain it.” (Psalm 139:6)

This verse is a key part of Psalm 139. God’s knowledge of us is not value neutral. It is high and good. We want God to know us at a deep level. This helps us.

God knows us even better than each of us knows ourselves. No matter what our age, on our own journey we are growing in our understanding of ourselves. Many learn more about themselves each day of life. This growing and expanding knowledge that we have of ourselves is already known by God.

The next time we are wrestling with a hard decision, pray to God with the assurance that God knows what it best for us. We can pray with confidence because a personal force exists (God) who knows what is best.

Does God’s knowledge of us give us confidence in approaching God for direction? Please share.

Thursday, August 27

Read Psalm 139:7-12

Being known at such a deep level can be very difficult. It can cause a person to want to flee from God. The writer of Psalm 139 acknowledges this desire to flee. But even if a person tries to run away from God, the person never escapes from God. God is always present—in everything we do and every place we want to go.

We read about God’s overarching presence in these verses. God is in heaven and Sheol, the wings of the morning, and at the farthest limits of the sea. Even in the physical and spiritual darkness God is present. God is everywhere.

Have you ever had a time when you wanted to flee from God? Perhaps you were going through a hard time or maybe you just needed a break from God.

Has this happened to you? Please share.

Friday, August 28

Read Psalm 139:13-18

These verses are not intended to be a literal description of creation. We all know that God does not have knitting needles and literally knits us together in our mother’s womb.

These verses do not describe how we are made; however, they do describe the source of our being—and that source of course, is God.

These verses don’t mean that some books exist that contain all the days of our life.

However, we can believe that God knows us even before we come into physical existence as humans. Once again, we read about the expansive knowledge of God for each of us.

We can all probably think of babies who have recently been born. They seem like blank slates—rapidly learning about the world. However, these babies are known by God. They are complicated expressions of humans who have a source.

What does it mean to you that God knows us even before we came into physical existence? Do you agree with that statement? Please share.

Saturday, August 29

Read Psalm 139:19-24

Psalm 139 takes a strange turn in verses 19-22 when we read about the Psalmist’s desire to have God kill the enemies of the writer. God is implored to hate the Psalmist’s enemies.

These verses are inconsistent with the rest of the Psalm.

The last two verses can be a beautiful prayer.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Test me and know my thoughts.

See if there is any wicked way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23-24

These two verses make a beautiful prayer. Try praying them every day for a week. Can you make a commitment to include these verses in your daily prayer life?

Please share.

Daily Devotions August 17 - August 22

Monday, August 17

Exodus 18:13-27

The next day Moses sat as judge for the people, while the people stood around him from morning until evening. When Moses’s father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, while all the people stand around you from morning until evening?” Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a dispute, they come to me, and I decide between one person and another, and I make known to them the statutes and instructions of God.” Moses’s father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. Now listen to me. I will give you counsel, and God be with you! You should represent the people before God and bring their cases to God. Teach them the statutes and instructions and make known to them the way they are to go and the things they are to do. You should also look for able men among all the people, men who fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain; set them as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Let them sit as judges for the people at all times; let them bring every important case to you but decide every minor case themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people will go to their homes in peace.”

So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said. Moses chose able men from all Israel and appointed them as heads over the people, as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. And they judged the people at all times; hard cases they brought to Moses, but any minor case they decided themselves. Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went off to his own country.

This week you can read about what the Bible has to say about elders. Elders served in the Old Testament and the New Testament—and had a key role in the nation of Israel and in the start of the church in the New Testament. The word Presbyterian is the Greek transliteration of the word, presbyteros or elder. This name shares that the elders run the congregation.

The story we read today is a foundational story of how a group of people had to lead a faith community. Jethro—Moses’ father-in-law—saw that Moses was exhausting himself from doing his priestly duties with the Israelites.

His words are worth noticing:

“What you are doing is not good. You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.” Exodus 18:17-18

The task of leading any faith community is obviously too big for any one person. A group of people must take responsibility for doing it.

One of the legacies of John Calvin, the first Presbyterian, is he organized the church so that the elders run the church. The elders oversaw the moral development of the people of Geneva, Switzerland. They literally ruled and ran the church.

The point is whether it was thousands of years before Jesus in the case of Moses, or the 16th century in the case of John Calvin, or the 21st century, a group of people must run a faith community.

Today as you pray, pray for Dave Nyberg, who is a Ruling Elder at Chain of Lakes. Do you have a message you would like to share with Dave? Please share.

Tuesday, August 18

2 Samuel 5:3-5

So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

In the last fifteen years, the names of officers in the Presbyterian church have changed. Pastors are now called Teaching Elders; people on the Session are now called Ruling Elders. Both are elders—once again showing that the elders run the church.

In this story David became the king of the northern kingdom, Israel. When David became king he made a covenant with the elders—see verse three. The elders were the leaders of the tribes of Israel. They were representatives of the people who could make covenants on their behalf.

Even in Old Testament times elders played a role in leading the nation. Without the elders David would have had no one to partner with in his leadership; he would have been alone; the elders gave him legitimacy and a group with whom he could work.

Today as you pray, pray for Chris Krebsbach, Ruling Elder at Chain of Lakes. Do you have a message you would like to share with Chris? Please share.

Wednesday, August 19

2 Kings 23:1-3

Then the king directed that all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem should be gathered to him. The king went up to the house of the LORD, and with him went all the people of Judah, all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests, the prophets, and all the people, both small and great; he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to follow the LORD, keeping his commandments, his decrees, and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. All the people joined in the covenant.

Josiah, the young king of Judah, found the book of Deuteronomy in the Temple. When he read it, he discovered how far the nation had strayed from the vision of the law that Moses had given to the people. Josiah was touched in his heart on how far Israel had strayed from the path of God.

Josiah wanted to implement reforms so that they could return to the vision of the book of Deuteronomy. So, he called all the elders of Judah. Josiah could not or would not make changes by himself, he needed the help of the elders.

The king made a covenant with the elders—the tribal leaders—and with the people that the nation would follow the Lord and keep the covenant of Deuteronomy. Josiah was not going to go forward without the help of the elders.

Today as you pray, pray for Kate Lawrence, Ruling Elder at Chain of Lakes. Do you have a message you would like to share with Kate?

Thursday, August 20

Matthew 16:21

From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised.

When Jesus died, the religious leaders of the day killed him—they included the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. The elders in Jesus’ day were people who could shape the Jewish tradition. They were devoted to the study of the Torah and wanted to pass on the traditions of the Torah.

The writer Philo described the elders in the following quote.

“After the prayers the seniors [or elders] recline according to the order of their admission, since the Jews do not understand the aged and grey headed who are regarded as still mere children if they have only in late years come to love this rule of life but those who from their earliest years have grown to manhood and spent their prime in pursuing the contemplative branch of philosophy, which indeed is the noblest and god-like part.” Philo

What is interesting is that in this story the elders were literally old—their task was to teach the wisdom they had developed over the years.

Tragically, the elders were threatened by Jesus and wanted him killed.

Today as you pray, pray for Jeff Douglas, ruling elder at Chain of Lakes. Do you have a message you would like to share with Jeff?

Friday, August 21

1 Peter 5:1-5

Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it, not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge but be examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. In the same way, you who are younger must be subject to the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

The writer of 1 Peter shared the task of the elders. They were to run the church. They were not to use their authority to grab power. Instead, they were to use their authority in humility.

John Calvin instituted the office of elders in the City of Geneva. The elders were to watch over the lifestyle of the people. If the people had strayed from the way the elders and the pastors were to rule on discipline for them. The elders were to instruct their followers on how to follow Christ.

In the Presbyterian Church (USA) we have Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders. Ruling Elders are people who serve on the Session or in the case of Chain of Lakes, the Session. One of their tasks is to watch over the people. Their task is not to use their authority to bring power to themselves but instead use their authority to serve the people—just as the writer of 1 Peter wanted!

Today as you pray, pray for Ann Turner, Ruling Elder at Chain of Lakes. Do you have a message you would like to share with Ann?

Saturday, August 22

James 5:13-18

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up, and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth yielded its harvest.

In this passage James recognized that one of the roles of the elders is to pray for the sick. The elders had the authority to anoint the sick with oil. They did not need an ordained pastor to do this—in fact in the days of James ordained pastors did not exist. The elders were the spiritual leaders of the people.

Sharing care with people is not something that only the pastor does. Elders can anoint people, pray for people, and be with people during challenging times. This is one of their roles.

Today as you pray, pray for Sally Leitch, Ruling Elder at Chain of Lakes. Do you have a message you would like to share with Sally? Please share.