God Pause Daily Devotions

Saturday, November 21

Paul L. Larsen, Christ the King Lutheran Church, New Brighton, Minn. — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0600

"The King of Love My Shepherd Is," ELW 502 & LBW 456 -- Hymn writer Henry W. Baker expresses his faith in the King of Love My Shepherd Is, saying the Lord's goodness never fails and we will lack for nothing. In these difficult economic times there are many who are hurting. read more...

Friday, November 20

Paul L. Larsen, Christ the King Lutheran Church, New Brighton, Minn. — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0600

John 18:33-37 -- Jesus says that everyone who belongs to the truth listens to his voice. True listening involves also doing what he tells us to do. Jesus' most repeated topic is the kingdom of God. read more...

Thursday, November 19

Paul L. Larsen, Christ the King Lutheran Church, New Brighton, Minn. — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0600

John 18:33-37 -- You can hardly blame Pilate for doubting that Jesus was a king. He wasn't dressed in royal robes. The Jews were demanding his death. read more...

Wednesday, November 18

Paul L. Larsen, Christ the King Lutheran Church, New Brighton, Minn. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0600

Revelation 1:4b-8 -- The author of Revelation reminds us that Christ rules over the kings of the earth, that he loves us and has forgiven us for all of our sins. He tells us that we have been made to be priests serving God. Our response to these great gifts is to love and serve God. read more...

Tuesday, November 17

Paul L. Larsen, Christ the King Lutheran Church, New Brighton, Minn. — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0600

Psalm 93 -- The author of Psalm 93 declares that The Lord is king and he proceeds to ascribe all kinds of majesty to the Lord. He talks about God's strength and how the Lord established the world. God has created all things and his creation is amazing. read more...

Monday, November 16

Paul L. Larsen, Christ the King Lutheran Church, New Brighton, Minn. — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0600

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 -- We are all stewards -- managers of the gifts God has given us. In the vision Daniel records here, he sees the amazing majesty of God. A thousand thousands served him... That is what we are called to do: serve God. read more...

Sunday, November 15

Megan Torgerson, Augustana Lutheran Church, West St. Paul, Minn. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0600

"We Are Called," ELW 720 -- Come! Live in the light! This celebratory, gracious invitation to love and service rings throughout this joyfully waltzing hymn. It reminds us that when we give of ourselves, we are doing it out of trust, faith and hope. Too often we see the call to service and stewardship as one of mindless requirement; the song is more of a dirge than a waltz.If the call to love and service incites a sense of dread, you're probably not hearing the right call! There are indeed a variety of reasons to give of yourself: necessity, obligation, self-importance and more. read more...

Saturday, November 14

Megan Torgerson, Augustana Lutheran Church, West St. Paul, Minn. — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0600

"Be Thou My Vision," ELW 793 & WOV 776 -- In a world of competing claims and promises, it can be difficult to see what God wants of us. We are constantly asking for clarity and vision in our Christian lives. We want to be able to see. read more...

Friday, November 13

Megan Torgerson, Augustana Lutheran Church, West St. Paul, Minn. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0600

Mark 13:1-8 -- Does a day ever go by when we don't hear about wars or rumors of wars? It's enough to make us lose hope in humanity, want to close ourselves off and forget about the dangerous and violent world outside. It can make us want to give up and leave aside our call to this world. Jesus' words, while chilling and disheartening, are a reminder to us that the end is a long way off. If we think things are bad now, guess what? They'll get worse later. read more...

Thursday, November 12

Megan Torgerson, Augustana Lutheran Church, West St. Paul, Minn. — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0600

Mark 13:1-8 -- I have stood at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the last remnant of what was once a proud and glorious temple. Jesus' prophecy was (mostly) true -- almost nothing remains of the temple that once governed religious life for the Jews of the time. Just looking at the huge stones that made up only the outer retaining-wall makes you realize what an incredible building it once was and how little is now left. We may hear Jesus' statement about the destruction of the temple as a warning against investing in places or things. read more...

Wednesday, November 11

Megan Torgerson, Augustana Lutheran Church, West St. Paul, Minn. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0600

Hebrews 10:11-25 -- "Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds." This is a valuable reminder when we consider sharing our money, time and talent. We do not do these things because we need to be good enough, but because God is already good enough. There is one word in there that sounds so funny to me: provoke. read more...

Tuesday, November 10

Megan Torgerson, Augustana Lutheran Church, West St. Paul, Minn. — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0600

Psalm 16 -- One day, when I was just a little kid, I remember admitting to my older cousin that I was scared of the dark. He took me by the hand to the next room, sat me down and informed me that he was going to turn off the lights. At first, I panicked. read more...

Monday, November 9

Megan Torgerson, Augustana Lutheran Church, West St. Paul, Minn. — Mon, 9 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0600

Daniel 12:1-3 -- My mother is a wise and thoughtful woman and often engages me on matters of life and faith. Usually she starts by asking me questions, but I am typically the one who ends up learning something life-changing. During one of our many discussions about suffering, she said to me, "Most of the time, life is hard. read more...

Sunday, November 8

Tom Jolivette, Philanthropic Adviser, Luther Seminary — Sun, 8 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0600

"For the Beauty of the Earth," ELW 879 + LBW 561 -- "For the perfect gift of thine, peace on earth and joy in heav'n, For thyself, best gift divine, to our world is freely giv'n, Christ, our God, to thee we raise this, our sacrifice of praise." Vs. 5 When all is said and done, the greatest gift God gives is new life through Jesus Christ. Of all the great and generous gifts God gives, the greatest is the sacrifice of God's own son, defeating the powers of sin and death, giving the abundance of life to all. read more...