DAILY DEVOTIONS

Sunday, Oct. 18^th          

Today will be a deeply special day of holy baptism at Hephatha.  We will share time with our children; we will look at the beauty of fall leaves and taste a certain kind of apple and consider the many blessings that fall upon us from God in the season of fall.  We will read Matthew 22:15-22 and seek to “Give to God what is God’s.”  I hope to see you in worship today at 9:00 in person.     If you cannot attend church today in person, please sign on to ZOOM by going to hephatha100.com.     Thank you, God, for the gift of hope. 

Monday, October 19^th    

Pastor Mary Martha sending a favorite prayer to you today. 

When we wake up in the morning and turn our soul toward You, You are there first.

--Soren Kierkegaard

This prayer also works for the evening, right?!?     When we lay our heads to rest in the evening and turn our soul toward You, You are there still…….and forever. 

God bless you. 

Tuesday, October 20   

Pastor Mary Martha serving God with you today. 

In the silence, ask the Holy Spirit to help us give to God what is God’s.

In the silence, ask the Holy Spirit to help us give to God what is God’s.

In the silence, ask the Holy Spirit to help us give to God what is God’s.    Amen.

 Wednesday, October 21^st

Pastor Mary Martha hoping this finds you secure in God’s love today.

Matthew 22:15-22 contains a short scene from the life of Jesus.   The memorable quote from Jesus that we have from this scene is:  “Give to God what is God’s.”   Now the first part of that pronouncement from Jesus is “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.”   This passage can help us think about voting this season.   We give our vote….yes, to our community and in a way to those for whom we vote…more deeply, however, our vote and ALL of life belongs to God.  Please vote.  And follow the call of Jesus as you do: serve the poor, love your neighbor and seek compassion and justice with your life, with your vote. 

Thursday, October 22     

Pastor Mary Martha hoping you feel God’s goodness this very day.

Praying for peace is a calling we share as the people of God.  Every person knows that violence is against God and that violence seemingly grows by the minute.  Our calling is to serve God’s peace with our lives.   Please pray for and act for peace.  We join with Pope Leo in this prayer for peace and we pray for his recovery and for his health.

Lord Jesus, 
you conquered death without weapons or violence: 
you shattered its power with the strength of peace. 
Grant us your peace, 
as you did to the women filled with doubt on Easter morning, 
as you did to the disciples who were hiding in fear. 
Send forth your Spirit, 
the breath that gives life and reconciles, 
that turns adversaries and enemies into brothers and sisters. 
Inspire in us to trust in Mary, your mother, 
who stood at the foot of your cross with a broken heart, 
firm in the faith that you would rise again. 
May the madness of war cease 
and the Earth be cared for and cultivated by those who still 
know how to bring forth, protect and love life. 
Hear us, Lord of life! 

Friday, October 23

Pastor Mary Martha sharing a word of hope with you today.

Sunday’s Gospel lesson from Matthew 22 is a passage that gives us the blessing of knowing that we belong to God.   Yes, all that we have belongs to God.  More deeply, we, our very selves, we, belong to God.   We do not belong to ourselves.  We do not belong to this world.  We are of God, we are created in God’s image.  “Give to God what is God’s,” Jesus spoke in Matthew 22.   We give our very selves to God.  Amen.