Home > Reading > NALC Lenten Devotion – March 10, 2017

Friday of the Week of Lent I

Today’s readings: Deuteronomy 10:12-22; Hebrews 4:11-16; John 3:22-36

“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I command you this day for your good?” (Deut 10:12-13)

Now that the Lord God has given us his commandments, what are we to do? How are we to live? What is our response to God’s graceful giving of the Law?

Fear the Lord our God; walk in all his ways; love him, serve him with all our heart and soul—keeping his commandments and statues. And why? For our own good!

It is tragic that “law,” “commandments” and “obedience” have become negatives in our culture and society. Laws and commandments provide boundaries and limits to human behavior, not just to please God or to establish a safe, peaceful, ordered environment, but for our good! It is so that we can live life as God has created it, with love for Him and for our neighbor as our guide, respecting and valuing life, always caring for the littlest and the least in our midst.

The book, The Object of My Affection is in My Reflection, by Rokelle Learner is about dealing with narcissists. The goal of living the Christ-like life is the opposite of narcissism. Christ lived for God, the Father, and for others. The Ten Commandments direct us to love God and love and respect others. They are not intended to keep us from joy, laughter, pleasure and happiness in life. Rather, they are to create lives in which such things are possible.

Prayer: Lord God, I want to delight in your commands and keep them. Help me to love you with all my heart and soul. In Jesus name, Amen.

Lenten Response: Now that we have memorized the Ten Commandments, read Luther’s explanations in the Small Catechism. If you don’t have a copy, ask your pastor for one or find it online.

Today’s devotion was written by the Rev. Dr. David M. Wendel, Assistant to the Bishop for Ministry and Ecumenism.

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Video of each day’s devotion is available here. The 2017 Lenten Devotional, based on Year I of the LBW and written by Pastor David Wendel, is available for download/printing in two formats and as a daily text/email message.

8.5″ x 11″ large print version for one- or two-sided printing on letter-sized paper

8.5″ x 11″ booklet (folds to 5.5″ x 8.5″) designed for two-sided printing on letter-sized paper

To receive daily devotionals via SMS, please text @NALCLENT to 614-682-8693.

To receive daily devotionals via email, please visit: NALC Lenten Devotional.

The 2017 Lenten Devotional is also available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Search for NALC WALK OF FAITH. If you already have the NALC Walk of Faith app, just update it by clicking the “download” button next to the devotional for Lent.

 

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  • Pr. Gene Peterson, nalc-sd,-retired

    Great Lenten devotions. Thank you. So many people haven’t grown up in church with catechism, instruction. It might be helpful to attach small catechism, et al here at this site. Make it easy to find references and so on. Just a thought. Maybe too difficult and/or expensive.

    Thanks again for your ministry here.