Daily Devotional

Our current sermon series at St. Luke’s is “Living to Learn; Learning to Live.” This sermon series reflects our ongoing commitment to grow in our faith. We believe that we should not be content to stay the way we are currently. We should work to expand our knowledge of God and the world around us. Growing in our faith helps us to grow in our love for God (remember, we are called to love God with “all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind.” (Matthew 22:37)  Growing in our faith helps us to experience life fully.

There are many opportunities to grow in our faith. There has never been a time in history when knowledge has been more readily accessible. However, there are obstacles that keep us from learning. One of the biggest hinderances to establishing a life of learning is pride…

“Therefore, the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. Yea, O people in Zion who dwell at Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, he will answer you.”

Regardless of the many new things that students experience, they often hear the same thing from teachers. No matter what new class they are taking, the teacher usually tells the students that when working on an assignment, the first thing they should do is read the directions.

Many good teachers have reminded us how important it is to read the directions. To take a moment and make sure we are aware of what is being asked of us is important if we want to make the best of our efforts.

Instructions are significant for us as a people of faith. Before we begin our day of work or school, we should take a moment to read the directions….

In the Gospel of John, Jesus describes himself in many wonderful ways. Often, Jesus uses imagery that the people of his day would easily understand. One of the images that Jesus uses is that of the shepherd. Shepherds were well known in Israel. They were the caretakers of important livestock. In the harsh climate of Israel, the work of the shepherds was incredibly important.

Our days are filled with so many things to do. Like many people, I leave the house each morning with a to-do list on my mind. I am ready to take on the day and my mind is focused on the events that occupy my calendar. I confess, looking for an opportunity to help others and express loving kindness is not always at the top of my list.

I am sure that the central Florida FedEx driver who became a viral sensation on social media was not looking to make a person’s day with his kindness (or maybe he was), but he sure blessed a neighbor’s morning and made everyone smile…

One of the most challenging classes a student takes in seminary is Systematic Theology. The Systematic Theology class is a demanding, year-long experience. The reading for this class is extensive and difficult. The lectures stretch your thinking on God and the church. At the end of this class, you submit a large paper that you have been working on for the entire year.  The paper is called the “Credo.” It is a Latin word that means, “I believe.” This statement of theological belief is only arrived at by dedicated class work, study, mindful wrestling, and thoughtful prayer.

I remember that special day when I arrived in class and submitted my paper. I had worked long hours, and my hopes were high for a good grade.  I submitted my paper and settled in for what I thought would be an easy hour of class. However, I received a bit of a surprise that day. The surprise that caught my attention was the lecture our professor delivered. I call it a surprise because, in my mind, I had just submitted my paper, the work was done, or so I thought…

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