Palm Sunday (Mar. 28)

Where Sin Begins

Narrated by Peter Baye

You shall not covet ... anything that is your neighbors. Exodus 20:17

Sin does not begin with our lips or hands. This last commandment reminds us, as Jesus said, “Out of the heart come evil thoughts,’ and more (Matthew 15:19). If we are to be healed, it must begin with a change of our sinful hearts.

Only the wounds of Jesus can heal a sinner’s heart. Jesus knew that as he entered Jerusalem, intent on going to the cross. This week we follow him through the upper room and Gethsemane to Golgotha. There we meditate on the wounds of whip and thorns, nails and spear—agonizing, blessed wounds he willingly endured to heal our hearts. Open your heart again to welcome the new life he came to gain for you. He will heal you from the inside out?

REFLECT: How can you open your heart to Jesus this Holy Week?

PRAY: I welcome you, my Savior, as did the Palm Sunday throng. Cleanse me, heal me, renew me. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish. 

Saturday, The Fifth Week of Lent (Mar. 27)

A Healed Heart

Narrated by Renea Gernant

Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” Luke 19:8

This tax collector's heart had just been healed by Jesus. Before this, his diseased heart felt “The more I get, the better off I am.” Now he understood the true values of earthly and heavenly treasures, and his healthy heart knew “The more I give, the better off I am.”

It takes a long time for the healing power of Jesus’ wounds to heal the toxic virus of “stuff-ness” in the diseased heart. With extended exposure to the Christ of the Cross, however, miracles can happen in the most stubborn heart. Perhaps you can make that a goal for yourself in these last days of Lent.

REFLECT: In what ways can you be as generous as Zacchaeus?

PRAY: Continue to heal my heart, Lord, with your love and grace. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish. 

Friday, The Fifth Week of Lent (Mar. 26)

A Poor Rich Man

Narrated by Kimberly Hord

Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” Matthew 19:21

The rich man asked, “What must I do to have eternal life?” In reply, Jesus said, "To ‘earn’ a treasure in heaven, give away all your earthly treasure.” The poor rich man was unable to do that—and so are we!

Jesus has done for us what we cannot do for ourselves. He gave his life to earn a treasure in heaven for us. That heavenly treasure is now his gift to us, making us poor people incredibly rich. “Healed by his wounds," we have a whole new perspective on the value of the “stuff” we own, what earthly people call riches. What riches we have!

REFLECT: Think about what makes us rich in Christ.

PRAY: When I feel anxious about my earthly riches, Lord, remind me of the true treasure you have given me. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish. 

Thursday, The Fifth Week of Lent (Mar. 25)

Your True Treasure

Narrated by Kate Allen

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ... You cannot serve God and money.
Matthew 6:21, 24

Test yourself: Is it easier to find an excuse to give less to God (church, charity) or an excuse to spend more on yourself (pleasure, treasure)? My heart and mind argue constantly between serving God (denying self) and serving self (stealing from God).

It’s really a question of where our heart is, and where we want it to be. This debate is never fully resolved: should my true treasure be determined by my human nature or by my new self made in the image of Jesus?

The healing wounds of Jesus can give you strength to overrule your human instincts and focus your heart on the true treasure that is yours eternally. Keep that in focus as you decide daily whom you will serve.

REFLECT: How will you serve Jesus today?

PRAY: Fill me with your Spirit, Jesus, and help me remember my true treasure. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Wednesday, The Fifth Week of Lent (Mar. 24)

Treasures in Heaven

Narrated by Steve Trusty

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19, 20

Everything you own is yours—but only for a short time. Someday it will all pass on to someone else, for there are no trailer hitches on hearses. Time steals all your stuff eventually.

Jesus died to give you a treasure that will outlast all your earthly possessions. You can add to that heavenly balance sheet by using your earthly goods for eternal purposes. What you give to help the needy, to advance the kingdom of God on earth, to increase the population of heaven—all that will live on after you leave earth.

Live for the future that goes on forever, not for the present that dies with you.

REFLECT: What treasures in heaven are you looking forward to the most?

PRAY: Expand my vision, Lord, to see beyond the here and now. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Tuesday, The Fifth Week of Lent (Mar. 23)

Healing a Stingy Heart

Narrated by Jennifer Peterson

When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4

We all know that “God loves a cheerful giver.” The cynic (often one with a stingy heart) says, “If I can’t give cheerfully, I won't give.” Jesus suggests a sure cure for such a stingy heart.

For one, giving to help the needy (or for a worthy cause) is an act of love that honors your loving Savior. It also pleases the Father, who is delighted to see his children being motivated by his merciful love.

Here's a thought: Do not give till it hurts. Instead, give till it feels good and brings you cheer. Your Savior is ready to heal you and to help you know the joy of giving love.

REFLECT: Think of new ways to give to the Lord.

PRAY: Lord Jesus, take away my false love of stuff and enable me to give with loving cheerfulness. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Monday, The Fifth Week of Lent (Mar. 22)

Healing, Not Misleading

Narrated by Tami Boesiger

They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” Luke 23:2

Jesus, of course, was not misleading anyone. He was all about healing people and leading them in the right direction. His intent is still the same for us, seeking to redirect our lives in God's intended direction.

Satan's aim is to mislead us away from God's loving will. When we expose our attitudes and actions to the healing wounds of Jesus, he can redirect us to the path of healthy godliness. Turn to the Savior, whose healing wounds reconcile you with the Father, and submit to his will for your life.

REFLECT: Who or what may be trying to lead you away from Christ?

PRAY: I repent, Lord Jesus, of my misdirected life; heal my deadly sinfulness and lead me to new life. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

The Fifth Sunday of Lent (Mar. 21)

Becoming a Better Person

Narrated by Amanda Wood

You shall not steal. Exodus 20:15

The devil, the world and our sinful self poison our minds: If we have more “stuff, we are better off—we are even a better person! Stealing “stuff” then becomes an easy shortcut to becoming a better person. How toxic is that! Jesus sets us on the true path to becoming a better person. His wounds heal our poisoned minds. He “steals” our deadly sins, replacing them with God’s gracious love and mercy. There is no better person than one who thinks and acts faithfully as a child of God.

We are engaged in a lifelong healing process. Our poisoned human sinfulness is forgiven daily. In its place, God injects the healing medicine of his Holy Spirit who makes us better not because of what we have but because of what we are—beloved children of the heavenly Father.

REFLECT: What is in need of healing in your life?

PRAY: Cure my poisoned mind, Lord, with the healing wounds of your beloved Son, Jesus. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Saturday, The Fourth Week of Lent (Mar. 20)

Celebrate Your Healing

Narrated by Yvonne Wilson

"Bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:23-24

Our sins are not minor missteps. [hey are toxic, terminal; every sin turns us away from God and leads to death. God's grace, however, is truly amazing; Jesus took our place in death, healing us by his wounds and filling us with new life. It’s free; it’s a gift; it’s grace!

Celebrate your healing by living in grace, by giving as freely as you have received. Love as you have been loved; forgive as you have been forgiven. Rejoice today, no matter what cloud darkens your horizon, for you are healed and you have new life today and for eternity. Celebrate!

REFLECT: Take time to celebrate the goodness of God’s grace.

PRAY: Turn my eyes to the cross of Jesus, gracious Father. Heal my sinfulness by your grace. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Friday, The Fourth Week of Lent (Mar. 19)

Welcome Home, Son

Narrated by Katelin Austin

He arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

The prodigal son knew he had lost the right to be allowed back into the family.
He had turned his back on his father and wasted his inheritance on sinful living. He hoped to get hired on by his father as a servant.

The father did not wait for excuses or bargains. He welcomed the wayward son with open arms. No matter what he had been or where he had been, he was still a loved son.

Because of Jesus, we receive the same welcome from our heavenly Father. No matter how badly we have messed up, we have a place in the family of God. Count on it—by his wounds, we are healed and welcomed.

REFLECT: How have you been like the prodigal son lately?

PRAY: Cast me not away from your presence, dear Heavenly Father. Amen.
(Psalm 51:11)

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.