GOD PAUSE DAILY DEVOTIONS

Looking for spiritual refreshment? God Pause email devotions are short, meaningful reflections on the following Sunday's lessons and gospel delivered directly to your email box. By Sunday, you'll be ready for an extra meaningful worship experience. 

Our devotion writers are Luther Seminary alumni. Their reflections are a gift to you and to the church.

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Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Psalm 90:12-17

The Psalmist reminds us of our incapability of achieving that which does not end in despair. It is only through God "that we may gain a wise heart."

Martin Luther in his Small Catechism tells us, "I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified me and kept me in the true faith."

Our society is so driven to self-fulfillment that our memory fades and we forget that all we have and all we are comes from the Triune God. As we find in the first chapter of James, "Every generous act of giving, every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father."

How is it with you?

Good and gracious God, help us to understand that all good gifts come from you. “Let your favor come upon us and prosper for us the work of our hands.” Amen.

Charles Axness
First Lutheran Church, Fremont, Neb.
Master of Divinity , 1993

Psalm 90:12-17 (NRSV)

12 So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.

13 Turn, O Lord! How long? Have compassion on your servants!

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us, and as many years as we have seen evil.

16 Let your work be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.

17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands-- O prosper the work of our hands!

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This week's devotions are offered by a Luther Seminary alum from the graduating class of 1993.

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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