Beyond Sunday

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.

In this episode of the Greg Griffith Leadership Podcast, Pastor Greg shares about leading and adapting throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and getting ready for what's ahead.

Faithful Living | Faithful Leading | Putting Faith First

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Thursday, The Fourth Week of Lent (Mar. 18)

He Knows What We Need

Narrated by Diana Stiner

‘I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:47-48

Everyone knew what she was—a sinner; she knew it, too, and felt the burden of her guilt. She knew that Jesus proclaimed the good news of God's forgiving love, so she came to him with an extravagant display of gratitude and affection. Jesus knew what she was and what she needed, and he gave it to her freely: “Your sins are forgiven.”

He knows what we need as well. From the cross, by his wounds he offers the healing grace we desperately need. Accept it as freely as he offers it, and live in thankful affection for his sacrifice that makes you whole.

REFLECT: Recognize your need for forgiveness.

PRAY: I know my sins are great, Lord, but I believe your healing power is
greater than my need. Grant me the grace to respond with generous praise. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Wednesday, The Fourth Week of Lent (Mar. 17)

He Does Not Condemn Us

Narrated by Alma Iwen

Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” John 8:10-11

Make no mistake: God's Law condemns all of us sinners to death. Dust you are and to dust you shall return. The soul that sins, it shall die. That's the bad news.

Jesus did not condemn the sinful woman. She was guilty, but Jesus came to take the place of all guilty sinners under God’s judgment and extend forgiveness and new life to all believers. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

With faith in Jesus, trust that your new life stretches beyond the grave that awaits you. You are healed forever by his wounds. That's the good news.

REFLECT: Take time to give all your guilt over to God.

PRAY: Take away the guilt I still feel, Lord Jesus. Restore to me the joy of salvation. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Tuesday, The Fourth Week of Lent (Mar. 16)

Narrated by Crystal Swafford

(Jesus) stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7

They caught this woman in the act of adultery. Bringing her to Jesus, they expected him to agree that the law should be enforced and the sinner punished.

Then they could feel superior to the obviously sinful woman.

Jesus turned the tables on their self-righteous attitude. If any of you is sinless, he may cast the first stone of punishment. One by one, they all disappeared.

Jesus wants us to know that we are all equally guilty—but that he went to Calvary for all our transgressions, and by his wounds, we are fully healed.

REFLECT: Have you been “casting any stones” lately?

PRAY: Show me, Lord, that my sin also deserves to be judged—but you suffered what I deserved, so today I can live in the joyful freedom of forgiving love. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.

Monday, The Fourth Week of Lent (Mar. 15)

Narrated by Kim Porath

The scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that [Jesus] was eating with sinners and taxcollectors, said to his disciples,“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners? Mark 2:16

”The Pharisees believed that if they ate with known sinners, they descended to their level and became contaminated. Jesus deliberately stooped to eat with sinners in order to take their sin upon himself and raise them with God's forgiving grace. This was his purpose on earth.

Isn’t it comforting to know that Jesus’ response to our sin is not to avoid us but to join us. On the cross he took our sin, was wounded and died for us, healing our souls with God's forgiving grace, inviting us to join him at the heavenly feast, which has no end. What a privilege!

REFLECT: With whom are you spending your time?

PRAY: Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest. Share your gift of grace with us sinners. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.