Daily Devotional

The Gospel of Mark 12:31 reads, “The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

There are so many ways where we can reach out and love thy neighbor. I think about these verses as St Luke’s starts up the Reading Buddies programs with two elementary schools, where we’ve created partnerships through reading to children in Edmond and Oklahoma City. I think it’s an incredible way to serve our community and love our neighbors.

Did you know that children who read twenty minutes a day are exposed to 1.8 million words a school year and will score in the 90th percentile on standardized tests? A child who only reads five minutes a day is exposed to 282,000 words a school year and scores in the 50th percentile on standardized tests.

As you can see, there are many benefits for children who are part of our Reading Buddies program. Being a Reading Buddy mentor can have a profound impact on a child’s life, especially when their home life isn’t ideal…

“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.” – Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Each and every day, we are being influenced by our surroundings. There are messages all around us that influence how we think and how we behave.  TV, radio, newspapers, social media, blogs and water cooler talk are just a few examples of the influences that are present and influencing our judgements and beliefs.

This is not a new phenomenon…

Dr. Don Schoendorfer and his wife Laurie were on vacation in Morocco. It was 1979 and they were thrilled to see the many beautiful sites of North Africa. While touring the city of Tetouan, Don and Laurie witnessed a woman, unable to walk, drag herself across the street with only the use of her arms. People just walked by. Don knew they needed to do something to help. They looked around for a shop to buy her a wheelchair, but they were unable to do so. This moment would be the inspiration of a life of service…

I cannot tell you at what point my faith started to hurt, not because God disappeared, but because I started struggling with very real issues that, in the moment, seemed more like a self-inflicted punishment for not being “the best Christian I could be.” I felt a loneliness that can only be described as soul-crushing. I have been carrying heavy burdens, but the Bible says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Yet, I didn’t want rest. Rest meant that I had to face myself, face the failures, the sicknesses, the losses, the pain… who in their right mind wants to face all of that?…

“Well, I don’t know what will happen now; we’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life—longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (“I’ve Been to the Mountain Top” – April 3, 1968)

The work and ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has left an indelible mark on our world. His work for civil rights and justice for all helped change our country and our world.  When I listen to Dr. King’s speeches or read his writings, I cannot help but be swept up in the power of his words. He truly was a great preacher, motivator, leader, and his work inspired a nation.

Dr. King’s final speech is named, “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top.”  In this speech, delivered in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. King talks about an incident that happened to him while in New York City…

“See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophesying, but test everything; hold fast what is good, abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” – Isaiah 1:17

Butch Marion is often seen working at his local Walmart. Butch is veteran of the U.S. Navy and a retired autoworker with General Motors. He is a dedicated employee at Walmart. He is also the oldest employee at 82. Butch retired early from General Motors to care for his ex-wife, and after her death, he went to work to help supplement his income.

Rory McCarty stopped at Walmart before opening his business. Rory owns and operates a pest control business. He saw Butch at the register and was amazed at how a person at Butch’s age was working so hard…

Change is one of the most difficult things in life. When things beyond our control change, we are rarely excited. Change takes us beyond our comfort of the known and into a world of unknown possibilities. There is no greater challenge in our life than to change ourselves to become a better person.  It is the desire of most people to change, at least some aspect of their life. Change is difficult. It is especially challenging when we try to do it all by ourselves.

The gospel of Mark (10:17-27) tells a story of a man who runs up to Jesus and ask the question, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” – Luke 17:12-13

Leprosy is a disease that is mentioned throughout the Bible. It is a disease that has ravaged people for centuries. When a person becomes infected it begins to damage the body. Over time the skin begins to degenerate, and the body becomes disfigured. We now know what causes leprosy, and we can even cure it. During Jesus’ life, the only way to treat a person with leprosy was to isolate those infected. Not only were they sick, but now they faced the removal from society and everyone they loved.

The pain and seclusion experienced by those with leprosy was dreadful. It is no wonder that those ten men who were infected went looking for Jesus…